Self-prescribed contraceptive education by the unwillingly pregnant

Pregnant young women seeking abortions were asked to evaluate their own personal situations in regard to use and knowledge of contraceptives and learning experiences that would have been helpful and appropriate for them. The study group included 115 women who received counseling at a pregnancy counseling service in the Boston metropolitan area. In addition to the routine background information obtained in the counseling session, a 3-page multiple choice questionnaire was completed by each patient as she waited for her appointment. The findings reported here are of the 80 single women, 70% of the 115. 55% of these patients were between 18 and 21 years old, and the group was predominantly middle-class. 38% had at least some higher education. 50% described their relationship with the conception partner as a continuing one in which marriage was not a consideration. 55% had never discussed contraception with a doctor. The reasons most frequently given for not using contraception were infrequency of sexual relations and dependence on the rhythm method. Regarding the preferred learning method, 48% selected as their 1st or 2nd choice a comprehensive health course with a frank presentation of sexuality and contraceptive information. Personal discussion was the next most frequently chosen method; group discussion with other young people was also on the preferred lists. 35% selected the school at all levels as their choice for the place of learning, with 30% preferring the home.