Teen Condom Usage

DEFINITION

The percent of sexually active female high school students that reported they did not use a condom during their last sexual intercourse reported in 2019.32

49.2 percent

50.4 percent

OKLAHOMA

Data Highlight:

While condoms and contraceptives are widely used, “pulling- NATIONAL AVERAGE out” is the second-most common form of contraception used by teens. This method is not highly effective with typical use, and is not widely accepted by Public Health experts as a contraceptive method altogether.33

Why We Care:

Among teens condoms are the most commonly used form of contraception. It is widely understood that condoms prevent unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and with perfect use are 98 percent effective at preventing pregnancy.33 Unfortunately, many teens do not know where they can easily access condoms or feel too self-conscious to purchase them in public.33 Barriers to accessing condoms can often lead to teens using the withdrawal method, which some experts do not consider an effective contraceptive method at all. The withdrawal method results in pregnancy 25 percent of the time with typical use and is used by 60 percent of sexually active teens.31

What We Can Do:

- Evaluate other data sources, in addition to the teen birth rates, to acknowledge the reproductive autonomy of teens and women overall - Support inclusive, scientific, evidence-based prevention programming addressing subsequent teen births - Advocate for comprehensive, inclusive, scientific, and evidence-based health education in all Oklahoma schools

Lookbook Vol. 2

p. 23