This Article  • References  • Full text PDF  • Send to a friend  • Save in My Folder  • Save to citation manager  • Permissions  Citing Articles  • Citation map  • Citing articles on HighWire  • Citing articles on Web of Science (26)  • Contact me when this article is cited  Related Content  • Similar articles in JAMA  Social Bookmarking   What's this?

An Accessible At-Risk Group

Laurie Schwab Zabin, PhD; Mark R. Emerson; Patricia A. Ringers; Valerie Sedivy, MHS

JAMA. 1996;275(2):113-117.

Abstract
Objective.
—To estimate nationally what percentage of young women receive negative pregnancy test results before becoming pregnant, to explore their fertility and test histories, and to estimate the potential for intervention at the time of a negative test result.

Design.
—A cross-sectional study in which young women presenting to clinics for pregnancy tests were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire before test results were known that explored prior pregnancy tests, pregnancies, sexual and contraceptive histories, and childbearing attitudes.

Setting.
—Fifty-two clinics including hospital, health department, Planned Parenthood, and independent facilities.

Participants.
—A total of 2926 patients aged 17 years or younger requesting pregnancy tests at presentation.

Results.
—Among young women who had ever conceived, 34.2% had a prior negative pregnancy test result and 24.4% had a prior negative test result at a clinic. Almost three of five of the adolescent girls, including both those who had and those who had not conceived, received a negative test result at a clinic before they ever became pregnant. By the age of 14 years, the probability of a negative test result was substantially greater than the chance of a positive test. Many presented for tests even though they were quite certain that they were not pregnant.

Conclusions.
—Adolescent girls with a negative pregnancy test result may be an appropriate target group for intervention. One fourth of adolescent girls who have a negative pregnancy test may be identified by the health care system on that occasion in time to prevent early childbearing.

(JAMA. 1996;275:113-117)

Author Affiliations
From the Department of Population Dynamics, The Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, Md.

Footnotes
Reprint requests to Department of Population Dynamics, The Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health, 615 N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21205 (Dr Zabin).

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter     What's this?

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES

Adolescent Pregnancy: Current Trends and Issues
Klein and and the Committee on Adolescence
Pediatrics 2005;116:281-286.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Teen Home Pregnancy Test Takers: More Worried or More Wishful?
Kelly et al.
Pediatrics 2004;113:581-584.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Clinical Breast and Pelvic Examination Requirements for Hormonal Contraception: Current Practice vs Evidence
Stewart et al.
JAMA 2001;285:2232-2239.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Perceived Knowledge and Training Needs in Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention: Results From a Multidisciplinary Survey
Hellerstedt et al.
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2000;154:679-684.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Adolescent Pregnancy---Current Trends and Issues: 1998
Committee on Adolescence
Pediatrics 1999;103:516-520.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Diagnostic Efficiency of Home Pregnancy Test Kits: A Meta-analysis
Bastian et al.
Arch Fam Med 1998;7:465-469.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Missed Opportunities: Teenagers and Emergency Contraception
Delbanco et al.
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 1998;152:727-733.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Preventing teenage pregnancy
Mellanby et al.
Arch. Dis. Child. 1997;77:459-462.
FULL TEXT  

Is This Patient Pregnant? Can You Reliably Rule In or Rule Out Early Pregnancy by Clinical Examination?
Bastian and Piscitelli
JAMA 1997;278:586-591.
ABSTRACT  

MISSED OPPORTUNITIES IN FAMILY PLANNING CLINICS
JWatch General 1996;1996:5-5.
FULL TEXT