Teen Pregnancy Prevention and United States Students

The 2017 national Youth Risk Behavior Survey indicates that among U.S. high school students:

3.4% had sexual intercourse for the first time before age 13 years.
28.7% were currently sexually active during the 3 months before the survey. ¹
46.2% did not use a condom during last sexual intercourse. ²
13.8% did not use any method to prevent pregnancy during last sexual intercourse.²
70.6% did not use birth control pills; an IUD or implant; or a shot, patch, or birth control ring to prevent pregnancy before last sexual intercourse. ²
18.8% drank alcohol or used drugs before last sexual intercourse. ²

The School Health Policies and Practices Study 2014 indicates that among U.S. high schools:

88% required students to receive instruction on health topics as part of a specific course. As part of a required health education course:
72% taught how to prevent pregnancy.
64% taught how to find valid information or services related to pregnancy or pregnancy testing.
76% taught abstinence as the most effective method to avoid pregnancy, HIV, and other STDs.
61% taught methods of contraception.
53% taught how to obtain contraception.
35% taught how to correctly use a condom.
50% taught how to obtain condoms.
76% taught the relationship between alcohol or other drug use and the risk for HIV, other STDs, and pregnancy.

11% provided contraceptives at school.
7% made condoms available to students at school.
41% provided pregnancy prevention services at school in one-on-one or small-group sessions.
12% provided contraceptives to students through arrangements with providers not located on school property.

Page last reviewed: March 1, 2019