The decline in US teen pregnancy rates, 1990-1995

Objectives. Estimate pregnancy, abortion, and birth rates for 1990 to 1995 for all teens, sexually experienced teens, and sexually active teens. Design. Retrospective analysis of national data on pregnancies, abortions, and births. Participants. US women aged 15 to 19 years. Outcome Measures. Annual pregnancy, abortion, and birth rates for 1990 to 1995 for women aged 15 to 19 years, with and without adjustments for sexual experience (ever had intercourse), and sexual activity (had intercourse within last 3 months). Results. Approximately 40% of women aged 15 to 19 years were sexually active in 1995. Teen pregnancy rates were constant from 1990 to 1991. From 1991 to 1995, the annual pregnancy rate for women aged 15 to 19 years decreased by 13% to 83.6 per 1000. The percentage of teen pregnancies that ended in induced abortions decreased yearly; thus, the abortion rate decreased more than the birth fate (21% vs 9%). From 1988 to 1995, the proportion of sexually experienced teens decreased nonsignificantly. Conclusions. After a 9% rise from 1985 to 1990, teen pregnancy rates reached a turning point in 1991 and are now declining. Physicians should counsel their adolescent patients about responsible sexual behavior, including abstinence and proper use of regular and emergency contraception.