Risk-taking and contraceptive behavior among unmarried college students

The contraceptive behavior of sexually active, never-married college women was examined using multiple regression analyses. Use of an effective method of contraception was highly situation-specific: length of relationship and frequency of intercourse were the variables most highly correlated with use of effective contraception, followed by method of contraception used at first coitus and knowledge of reproduction. Failure to use effective contraception was not associated with low estimates of pregnancy risk, nor with high utility of pregnancy, nor with uniquely high willingness to seek abortion. The results of the present study suggest that use or non-use of effective contraception is mediated by the predictability of sexual intercourse.We would like to thank Ira H. Bernstein for his assistance with computer programming and data analysis. Reprints are available from Ms. Irene Steeger, Center for Population and Family Health, Columbia Unviersity, New York.