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Although still higher than in any other developed nation, U.S. pregnancy rates among teens aged 15 to 19 declined 27% from 1991 to 2000. Birth rates dropped 33% from 1991 to 2003. Does abstinence from intercourse or more effective use of contraception account for these decreases?
Using data from the 1995 and the 2002 National Survey of Family Growth, researchers analyzed self-reported data from young women (age range, 15–19) about both vaginal intercourse and contraceptive use at most recent intercourse during the 3 months preceding the survey. To ascribe risk for pregnancy, the researchers developed two indexes. The contraceptive risk index, the first, is based on standard contraceptive failure rates and likelihood of pregnancy with nonuse …