Obstet Gynecol Sci.  2016 Nov;59(6):519-524. 10.5468/ogs.2016.59.6.519.

Recent trends in contraceptive use among Korean adolescents: Results from a nationwide survey from year 2013 to 2015

• Lim SH
• Jang HI
• Lee DY
• Yoon BK
• Choi DS

• KMID: 2378577
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5468/ogs.2016.59.6.519

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
This study was aimed to evaluate the recent trends in contraceptive use among Korean adolescents.
METHODS
Data reviewed were from the 2013-2015 Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey, which is a stratified, multistage-sampling designed online-based research project performed annually by the Korean government to ensure a nationally representative sample of Korean adolescence. Eight questions related to the topic of contraception were reviewed for the outcome variables.
RESULTS
A total of 212,538 adolescents attending middle school and high school participated in the survey, and 8,755 students among them who were sexually active were included in the study. The percentage of contraceptive use showed a steady increase from 39% in 2013 to 48.7% in 2015; however, the proportion of adolescents who have never used any kind of contraception still remains high. Highly effective methods such as oral contraceptives and intrauterine devices were used by only 10% to 15% of sexually active adolescents.
CONCLUSION
The present study demonstrates the status of contraceptive use among Korean adolescents. Our data have the potential to help healthcare providers to formulate policies and develop interventions for encouraging effective contraceptive use among sexually active Korean adolescents.

Keyword

Adolescent; Contraception; Korea

MeSH Terms

Adolescent*
Contraception
Contraceptives, Oral
Health Personnel
Humans
Intrauterine Devices
Korea
Risk-Taking
Contraceptives, Oral

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Rate of contraceptive use in sexually active adolescent in Korea.

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  Fig. 2 Frequency of contraceptive use in sexually active Korean adolescents.

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  Fig. 3 Percentage of south Korean adolescents provided with sex education in school during the previous 12 months.

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