Teenagers in the

United States: Sexual

Activity, Contraceptive Use,

and Childbearing,

2006–2010 National Survey

of Family Growth

Series 23, Number 31 October 2011
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appreciated.

Suggested citation

Martinez G, Copen CE, Abma JC. Teenagers in the United States: Sexual

activity, contraceptive use, and childbearing, 2006–2010 National Survey of

Family Growth. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 23(31).

2011.

Library of Congress Catalog Number 306.70835’ 09073090511—dc22

For sale by the U.S. Government Printing Office

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Printed on acid-free paper.
Series 23, Number 31

Teenagers in the

United States: Sexual

Activity, Contraceptive

Use,and Childbearing,

2006–2010 National Survey

of Family Growth

Data From the National Survey of

Family Growth

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Center for Health Statistics

Hyattsville, Maryland

October 2011

DHHS Publication No. (PHS) 2012–1983
National Center for Health Statistics

Edward J. Sondik, Ph.D., Director

Jennifer H. Madans, Ph.D., Associate Director for Science

Division of Vital Statistics

Charles J. Rothwell, M.S., Director
Contents
 

Abstract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 
 

Introduction ............................................................................................... 1 
 

Background ............................................................................................... 1 
 

Pregnancies and Births .................................................................................... 2 
 

STDs .................................................................................................. 3 
 

Methods .................................................................................................. 3 
 

Data Collection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 
 

Demographic Variables Used in This Report................................................................... 3 
 

Strengths and Limitations of the Data ........................................................................ 4 
 

Statistical Analysis........................................................................................ 4 
 

Results ................................................................................................... 5 
 

Sexual Behavior: Trends and Current Prevalence Among Teenagers, and Partner Information ........................... 5 
 

Frequency of Sexual Activity ............................................................................... 6 
 

Relationship With First Partner.............................................................................. 7 
 

Number of Partners ....................................................................................... 7 
 

Wantedness of First Intercourse ............................................................................. 7 
 

Contraceptive Use Among Teenagers......................................................................... 7 
 

Births to Teenagers ...................................................................................... 11 
 

Reasons for Not Having Had Sex........................................................................... 11 
 

Feelings About a Hypothetical Pregnancy .................................................................... 11 
 

Conclusion ............................................................................................... 11 
 

References ............................................................................................... 12 
 

Appendix. Data by Hispanic Origin and Race Using the 1997 Guidelines From the Office of Management and Budget ....... 28 
 

Figures

1.	 Never-married females and males aged 15–19 who have ever had sexual intercourse: United States, 1988–2010 ....... 6 
 

2.	 Use of contraception at first sex among females aged 15–19, by method used: United States, 2006–2010............. 8 
 

3.	 Probability of a first birth by age 17, 18, 19, and 20 for females aged 15–24, by their mother’s age at first birth:
 

United States, 2006–2010.............................................................................. 9 
 

4.	 Use of contraception at first sex among females aged 15–19, by Hispanic origin and race: United States, 2002 and
 

2006–2010.......................................................................................... 9 
 

5.	 Use of contraception at first sex among males aged 15–19, by Hispanic origin and race: United States, 2002 and
 

2006–2010......................................................................................... 10 
 

6.	 Use of contraception at last sex among females aged 15–19, by race: United States, 2002 and 2006–2010 ........... 10 
 

Text Table

Pregnancy and live birth rates for females aged 15–19, by age, race, and Hispanic origin (rates per 1,000 women in
 

specified group): United States, selected years, 1990–2009................................................... 2 
 

iii
Detailed Tables

1.	 Never-married females and males aged 15–19 who have ever had sexual intercourse: United States, 1988, 1995,
 

2002, and 2006–2010 ................................................................................ 14 
 

2.	 Never-married females aged 15–19 who have ever had sex in the past 12 months, in the past 3 months, and in the past
 

month: United States, 2002 and 2006–2010 .............................................................. 15 
 

3.	 Never-married males aged 15–19 who have ever had sex in the past 12 months, in the past 3 months, and in the past
 

month: United States, 2002 and 2006–2010 .............................................................. 15 
 

4.	 Relationship with partner at first sex for females and males aged 15–19: United States, 2002 and 2006–2010 ........ 16 
 

5.	 Number of male sexual partners in the prior 12 months for never-married females aged 15–19: United States, 2002 and
 

2006–2010......................................................................................... 17 
 

6.	 Number of female sexual partners in the prior 12 months for never-married males aged 15–19: United States, 2002 and
 

2006–2010......................................................................................... 18 
 

7.	 Number of male sexual partners in lifetime among sexually experienced never-married females aged 15–19:
 

United States, 1988, 1995, 2002, and 2006–2010 ......................................................... 18 
 

8.	 Number of female sexual partners in lifetime among sexually experienced never-married males aged 15–19:
 

United States, 1988, 1995, 2002, and 2006–2010 ......................................................... 19 
 

9.	 Feelings about first sex for females and males aged 18–24 at interview who had first sex before age 20: United States,
 

2006–2010......................................................................................... 20 
 

10.	 Ever use of contraception among sexually experienced females aged 15–19, by method of contraception: United States,
 

1995, 2002, and 2006–2010........................................................................... 21 
 

11.	 Use of contraception at first sex among females and males aged 15–19, by method used: United States, 1988, 2002,
 

and 2006–2010 ..................................................................................... 22 
 

12.	 Use of contraception at last sex in the prior 3 months among never-married females and males aged 15–19, by method
 

used: United States, 1988, 1995, 2002, and 2006–2010..................................................... 23 
 

13.	 Consistency of condom use in the 4 weeks prior to the interview among never-married females and males aged 15–19:
 

United States, 2002 and 2006–2010 .................................................................... 24 
 

14.	 Probability of a first birth by age 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 for females aged 15–24: United States, 2002 and
 

2006–2010......................................................................................... 25 
 

15.	 Main reason for never having had sex for females and males aged 15–19: United States, 2002 and 2006–2010 ....... 26 
 

16.	 Responses to the statement ‘‘If you got pregnant now/got a female pregnant now, how would you feel?’’ for nevermarried females and males aged 15–19: United States, 2002 and 2006–2010 ................................... 27 
 

Appendix Tables

I.	 Never-married females and males aged 15–19 who have ever had sexual intercourse: United States, 2006–2010 ...... 28 
 

II.	 Never-married females aged 15–19 who have ever had sex in the past 12 months, in the past 3 months, and in the past
 

month: United States, 2006–2010 ...................................................................... 28 
 

III.	 Never-married males aged 15–19 who have ever had sex in the past 12 months, in the past 3 months, and in the past
 

month: United States, 2006–2010 ...................................................................... 28 
 

IV.	 Relationship with partner at first sex for females and males aged 15–19: United States, 2006–2010 ................ 29 
 

V.	 Number of male sexual partners in the prior 12 months among never-married females aged 15–19: United States,
 

2006–2010......................................................................................... 29 
 

VI.	 Number of female sexual partners in the prior 12 months among never-married males aged 15–19: United States,
 

2006–2010......................................................................................... 29 
 

VII.	 Number of male sexual partners in lifetime among sexually experienced never-married females aged 15–19:
 

United States, 2006–2010............................................................................. 30 
 

VIII.	 Number of female sexual partners in lifetime among sexually experienced never-married males aged 15–19:
 

United States, 2006–2010............................................................................. 30 
 

IX.	 Feelings about first sex for females and males aged 18–24 at interview who had first sex before age 20: United States,
 

2006–2010......................................................................................... 31 
 

X.	 Use of contraception at first sex among females and males aged 15–19, by method used: United States, 2006–2010 . . . 32
 

XI.	 Use of contraception at last sex in the prior 3 months among never-married females and males aged 15–19, by method
 

used: United States, 2006–2010........................................................................ 33 
 

XII.	 Consistency of condom use in the 4 weeks prior to the interview among never-married females and males aged 15–19:
 

United States, 2006–2010............................................................................. 34 
 

XIII.	 Probability of a first birth by age 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 for females aged 15–24: United States, 2006–2010 ...... 34 
 

XIV.	 Main reason for never having had sex for females and males aged 15–19: United States, 2006–2010 ............... 35 
 

iv
Acknowledgments
 

The 2006–2010 National Survey of

Family Growth (NSFG) was conducted

by the Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention’s (CDC) National Center for

Health Statistics (NCHS) with the

support and assistance ofa number of

other organizations and individuals.

Interviewing and other tasks were

carried out by the University of

Michigan’s Survey Research Center,

Institute for Social Research, undera

contract with NCHS. The 2006–2010

NSFG was jointly planned and funded

by the following programs and agencies

of the U.S. Department of Health and

Human Services: +	 Eunice Kennedy Shriver National

Institute for Child Health and

Human Development

+	 Office of Population Affairs +	 National Center for Health Statistics

(CDC)

+	 Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention

(CDC)

+	 Division of Sexually Transmitted

Disease Prevention (CDC)

+	 Division of Reproductive Health

(CDC)

+	 Children’s Bureau of the

Administration for Children and

Families

+	 The Office of the Assistant Secretary

for Planning and Evaluation

NCHS gratefully acknowledges the

contributions of these programs and

agencies, and all others who assisted in

designing and carrying out the

2006–2010 NSFG.

This report was prepared under the

general direction of Charles J. Rothwell,

Director of NCHS’ Division of Vital

Statistics (DVS), and Stephanie J.

Ventura, Chief of the Reproductive

Statistics Branch of DVS. The authors

are also grateful for the valuable

comments provided by Stephanie

Ventura as well as Julia Holmes, DVS

Associate Director for Science, and

Jennifer Madans, NCHS Associate

Director for Science, and thank

Yashodhara Patel for her helpful

contributions to the preparation of this

report.

v
Objective

This report presents national estimates

of sexual activity, contraceptive use, and

births among males and females aged

15–19 in the United States in 2006–2010

from the National Survey of Family Growth

(NSFG). For selected indicators, data are

also presented from the 1988, 1995, and

2002 NSFG, and from the 1988 and

1995 National Survey of Adolescent

Males, conducted by the Urban Institute.

Methods

Descriptive tables of numbers and

percentages are presented and

discussed. Data were collected through

in-person interviews of the household

population of males and females aged

15–44 in the United States, between

July 2006 and June 2010. Interviews

were conducted with 22,682 men and

women, including 4,662 teenagers

(2,284 females and 2,378 males). For

both the teen subsample and the total

sample, the response rate was 77%.

Results

In 2006–2010, about 43% of

never-married female teenagers (4.4

million), and about 42% of nevermarried male teenagers (4.5 million)

had had sexual intercourse at least

once. These levels of sexual

experience have not changed

significantly from 2002. Seventy-eight

percent of females and 85% of males

used a method of contraception at first

sex according to 2006–2010 data, with

the condom remaining the most popular

method. Teenagers’ contraceptive use

has changed little since 2002, with a

few exceptions: there was an increase

among males in the use of condoms

alone and in the use of a condom

combined with a partner’s hormonal

contraceptive; and there was a

significant increase in the percentage of

female teenagers who used hormonal

methods other than a birth-control pill,

such as injectables and the

contraceptive patch, at first sex. Six

percent of female teenagers used a

nonpill hormonal method at first sex.

Keywords: adolescents • sexual

intercourse • number of sexual

partners • method use at first sex

Teenagers in the United States:

Sexual Activity, Contraceptive

Use, and Childbearing,

2006–2010 National Survey of

Family Growth

by Gladys Martinez, Ph.D.; Casey E. Copen, Ph.D.; and Joyce C.

Abma, Ph.D., Division of Vital Statistics

Introduction
 

The Centers for Disease Control

and Prevention’s (CDC) National Center

for Health Statistics (NCHS) conducts

the National Survey of Family Growth

(NSFG), a survey that collects data on

factors affecting family formation,

growth, and dissolution—including

marriage, divorce, and cohabitation;

contraception, sterilization, and

infertility; pregnancy outcomes; and

births. This information is gathered from

women and men aged 15–44—generally,

the reproductive age range. NSFG is

jointly planned and funded by NCHS

and several other programs of the U.S.

Department of Health and Human

Services (see ‘‘Acknowledgments’’).

NSFG was established and first

conducted by NCHS in 1973. Since

then, NSFG has been conducted seven

times by NCHS—in 1973, 1976, 1982,

1988, 1995, 2002, and most recently, in

2006–2010. In 1973 and 1976 the

survey interviewed women aged 15–44

who were currently married or had been

married; it was then considered too

sensitive to interview never-married

women on these topics. In 1982, as the

percentage of births to unmarried

women continued to increase, the survey

was expanded to include women aged

15–44 regardless of marital status. Thus

the sample began to include all females

aged 15–44 including never-married

teenagers. In 2002, NSFG began to

interview males aged 15–44, allowing

analysis of a national sample of

teenaged males as well.

The primary purpose of this report

is to publish selected data on the sexual

activity, contraceptive use, and

childbearing experience of males and

females aged 15–19 in the United States

in 2006–2010, and to present trends in

these measures across selected years

including 1988, 1995, and 2002. Prior to

NSFG’s inclusion of males in 2002, the

National Survey of Adolescent Males

(NSAM), conducted by the Urban

Institute, interviewed a national sample

of never-married teenaged males. This

survey was conducted in the same years

as the NSFG Cycles 4 and 5: 1988 and

1995. Thus, using the NSAM together

with NSFG data, trends can be

examined for male and female teenagers

for 1988, 1995, 2002, and 2006–2010.

Background

This report focuses on factors

related to birth and pregnancy rates and

sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) for

teenagers in the United States.

Explaining changes in these rates is

central to the NSFG mission. This report

updates some of the findings from a

report published in 2004 based on the

2002 NSFG (1), and presents data on

trends from the 1988 and 1995 NSFG

and the 1988 and 1995 NSAM (2). The

Page 1
Page 2 [ Series 23, No. 31

present report presents new and

expanded data from the full 2006–2010

data release and includes data and

discussion for the largest Hispanic

origin and race groups beyond the

preliminary findings published in 2010

(3).

Monitoring sexual activity and

contraceptive use among teenagers is

important because of the health and

social costs of pregnancy, childbearing,

and STDs among the teenaged

population (4,5). As a result of the

concern with high rates of teen

pregnancy and birth in the United

States, a large number of federal, state,

and local programs have been launched

over the past few decades. In addition,

concern remains high over the threat

and incidence of human

immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other

STDs among young people.

Pregnancies and Births

The U.S. birth rate for females aged

15–19 was 39.1 births per 1,000 females

in 2009, based on birth certificate data

collected in NCHS’ National Vital

Statistics System (see Table) (6).

Although this was a historic low for the

United States, that rate was higher than in

a number of other developed countries.

For example, according to the latest

available data from the United Nations

Population Division, the teen birth rate

in Canada was 14, or about one-third of

the U.S. rate, the rate in Germany was

10 and in Italy, 7, less than one-quarter

the U.S. rate (7).

The U.S. teen birth rate in 2009

was 37% lower than the peak rate in

1991, which was 61.8 per 1,000 (8).

Teen birth rates declined continuously

from 1991 until 2005, followed by a

modest increase of 5% from 2005 to

2007 (9). The slight increase from 2005

to 2007 generated concern that progress

over the past two decades in reducing

teen pregnancies could have stalled

(10,11). However, data for 2008 and

2009 show that the teen birth rate again

declined from the rate in 2007

(6,8,9,12).

Estimates of age-specific pregnancy

rates are produced by adding fetal losses

(i.e., miscarriages and stillbirths

collected from NSFG pregnancy

Table. Pregnancy and live birth rates for females aged 15–19, by age, race, and Hispanic

origin (rates per 1,000 women in specified group): United States, selected years, 1990–2009

Pregnancies Live births

per 1,000 per 1,000

Age, Hispanic origin and race females females

15–19 years

1988............................... 109.9 53.0

1990............................... 116.8 59.9

1995............................... 101.1 56.0

2000............................... 84.8 47.7

2002............................... 76.0 43.0

2005............................... 70.6 40.5

2008............................... ––– 41.5

2009............................... ––– 39.1

15–17 years

1988............................... 74.1 33.6

1990............................... 77.1 37.5

1995............................... 67.4 35.5

2000............................... 50.8 26.9

2002............................... 44.1 23.2

2005............................... 40.2 21.4

2008............................... ––– 21.7

2009............................... ––– 20.1

18–19 years

1988............................... 158.7 79.9

1990............................... 167.7 88.6

1995............................... 153.4 87.7

2000............................... 134.5 78.1

2002............................... 124.4 72.8

2005............................... 117.7 69.9

2008............................... ––– 70.6

2009............................... ––– 66.2

15–19 years, Hispanic

1990............................... 167.4 100.2

1995............................... 163.3 99.3

2000............................... 142.1 87.3

2002............................... 134.7 83.4

2005............................... 128.9 81.7

2008............................... ––– 77.5

2009............................... ––– 70.1

15–19 years, Non-Hispanic white

1990............................... 86.8 42.6

1995............................... 70.6 39.3

2000............................... 56.3 32.6

2002............................... 49.0 28.5

2005............................... 44.0 25.9

2008............................... ––– 26.7

2009............................... – – – 25.6

15–19 years, Non-Hispanic black

1988...............................

1990............................... 232.7 116.2

1995............................... 189.6 97.2

2000............................... 158.8 79.2

2002............................... 138.0 68.3

2005............................... 123.8 60.9

2008............................... ––– 62.8

2009............................... ––– 59.0

– – – Data not available.

SOURCES: CDC/NCHS, NVSR 59 no 3 and NVSR 58 no 4.

histories) and induced abortions (based Promotion, which are adjusted to

on demographic characteristics of national estimates from the Guttmacher

abortion patients collected from states Institute). In 2005—the latest date for

by CDC’s National Center for Chronic which estimates are available using

Disease Prevention and Health methodology consistent with past
Series 23, No. 31 [ Page 3

rates—the teen pregnancy rate in the

United States was 71 per 1,000 females

aged 15–19, about 39% lower than in

1990 (13). By age, the pregnancy rate

for those aged 15–17 declined from 77

in 1990 to 40 in 2005, while for those

aged 18–19, the pregnancy rate declined

from 168 in 1990 to 118 in 2005. A

report by the Guttmacher Institute

suggests that pregnancy rates increased

slightly from 2005 to 2006, paralleling

the birth rate increase. According to

their calculations, the teen pregnancy

rate rose 3% from 2005 to 2006,

reflecting increases in both birth and

abortion rates among teenagers (14).

The same report also showed that in

2005, teen pregnancy rates varied by

age and Hispanic origin and race. In

2005, while the teen pregnancy rate for

non-Hispanic white teenagers was 44, it

was 124 for non-Hispanic black and 129

for Hispanic teenagers (13). These

differentials in pregnancy rates existed

in 1990 as well, although the difference

between non-Hispanic black and

non-Hispanic white rates was much

larger in 1990 than in 2005.

STDs

Sexually active adolescents are at

higher risk for acquiring some STDs

than are adults for behavioral,

biological, and cultural reasons (15).

According to the most recent estimates,

females aged 15–19 continue to have

higher rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea

than any other age or sex group (15).

While rates of syphilis among teenaged

females and males are lower than those

of other age groups, these rates have

increased every year since the early

2000s (15). Estimates suggest that while

representing 25% of the sexually

experienced population, those aged

15–24 acquire nearly one-half of all new

STDs (16). Chesson et al. estimate that

the direct medical cost of these diseases

among those aged 15–24 was at least

$6.5 billion in 2000 alone (17).

This report presents data that may

help to explain trends and differences in

rates of birth, pregnancy, and STDs

among teenagers. NSFG data on sexual

and contraceptive behavior will be

useful in understanding these and other

issues that affect the health and

well-being of teenagers in the United

States.

Methods

Data Collection

The 2006–2010 NSFG was based

on 22,682 face-to-face interviews in the

U.S. household population aged 15–44

(12,279 with women and 10,403 with

men). Interviews were conducted with

4,662 teenagers: 2,284 females and

2,378 males. These were the largest

samples of teenagers ever interviewed in

the NSFG. Men and women living on

military bases or in institutions were not

included in the survey. The sample did

include persons temporarily living away

from the household in a college

dormitory, sorority, or fraternity (18).

The interviews were administered in

person by trained female interviewers

primarily in the respondents’ homes.

The 2006–2010 sample is a nationally

representative multistage area

probability sample drawn from 110

areas, or ‘‘primary sampling units’’

(PSUs) across the country. To protect

the respondent’s privacy, only one

person was interviewed in each selected

household. In 2006–2010, those aged

15–19 were sampled at higher rates than

others, as were black and Hispanic

adults. These groups were also

oversampled in 2002.

All respondents were given written

and oral information about the survey

and informed that participation was

voluntary. Adult respondents aged 18–44

were asked to sign a consent form but

were not required to do so. For minors

aged 15–17, signed consent was

required first from a parent or guardian,

and then signed assent was required

from the minor. If either the parent or

the minor declined to give written

consent, the minor did not participate in

the survey. The response rate for the

2006–2010 NSFG was 77% overall and

77% for male and female teenagers.

Overall, the interviews lasted an average

of about 80 minutes for females and 60

minutes for males. For teenagers,

interviews averaged about 53 minutes

for females and 42 minutes for males.

Most of the data in this report were

collected by computer-assisted personal

interviewing (CAPI). The questionnaires

were programmed into laptop computers

and administered by an interviewer. The

data in this report concerning whether

first intercourse was wanted comes from

the self-administered portion of the

interview. This audio computer-assisted

self-interview (ACASI) mode of

interviewing is a more private mode of

data collection because it allows the

respondent to hear the questions and

response choices over headphones, read

it on the screen if so desired, and enter

a response into the computer without the

interviewer knowing what the response

was. This mode of interviewing was

used to ask the more sensitive items in

the survey. More detailed information

about the methods and procedures of

NSFG and its sample design, weighting,

imputation, and variance estimation has

been published (18,19).

Demographic Variables

Used in This Report

The data on sexual activity,

contraceptive use, and childbearing

presented in this report are shown with

respect to several key demographic

characteristics, including age, family

living arrangement, mother’s education,

and Hispanic origin and race. Whether a

respondent ever had sexual intercourse

was ascertained from a single question

in the male and female questionnaires,

asked of respondents who had never

been pregnant (females), and had never

cohabited or been married. For those

respondents, it was assumed that they

were sexually experienced. The

questions were as follows, with wording

consistent with prior years for each

gender:

Male questionnaire

‘‘Have you ever had sexual

intercourse with a female

(sometimes this is called making

love, having sex, or going all the

way)?’’

Female questionnaire

‘‘At any time in your life, have you

ever had sexual intercourse with a
Page 4 [ Series 23, No. 31

man, that is, made love, had sex, or

gone all the way?’’

The definition of Hispanic origin

and race used in the main tables of this

report is based on the 1977

classification standard used in federal

surveys (20). This reporting standard

was used in prior reports on this topic

and allows comparison across the four

most recent NSFGs: 1988, 1995, 2002,

and 2006–2008. This classification

shows all respondents by the race group

they chose, or in the case of multiplerace respondents, by the single-race

group that best described them. In

NSFG, respondents who identify

multiple-race categories were asked to

select one group that best described

them. Data by Hispanic origin and race

using the 1997 guidelines from the

Office of Management and Budget (21)

are shown in the Appendix (Tables I–

XIV). This takes into account the

reporting of more than one race and

presents data for single-race nonHispanic black and white males and

females. Differences in the percentages

using the two racial classifications (in

the detailed tables and Appendix tables)

are small.

Measures of education and family

income have strong associations with

sexual risk behaviors, but are not

included in this report because this

report focuses on teenagers. Education is

not meaningful because among

teenagers it is a ‘‘proxy’’ for age, and

family income is not reliably reported

by teenagers. Instead, parental

characteristics that are easier to report,

not confounded with age, and yet

strongly correlated with sexual risk

behaviors are included in the tables. The

characteristic directly related to family

socioeconomic status is mother’s

education. Detailed information has been

previously published on the definition of

this and the other measures in this

report (3). Any changes in questions and

question design between years were

done with the goal of maintaining

comparability as a top priority so that

trends could be measured reliably.

Strengths and Limitations

of the Data

The strengths of the data in this

report, based primarily on the

2006–2010 NSFG, include the

following:

+	 Data were drawn from interviews

with large nationally representative

samples of teenagers.

+	 Data from each survey were

processed and coded in ways to

make them as comparable as

possible, so that trends could be

measured reliably across cycles.

+	 Interviews in each cycle were

conducted in person by professional

and trained female interviewers.

Interviewers were supplied with

visual aids, such as show-cards,

life-history calendars, and ‘‘help

screens’’ containing definitions of

terms and other guides. These were

used to help clarify terms and

concepts for the respondent, so that

meanings were standardized across

respondents, thereby enhancing the

quality of the data.

+	 Because NSFG is a household

survey as opposed to a school

survey, it represents all teenagers

(aged 15–19) in the household

population of the United States.

+	 NSFG includes an array of

characteristics to identify groups in

which sexual risk behaviors are

more and less common: for

example, age, education of the

teenager’s mother, and age of the

teenager’s mother when she had her

first child. NSFG also collected

extensive data on contraceptive use,

sexual activity, and childbearing

experience, including retrospective

histories of these. In addition, NSFG

collects information on sexual

partners, such as his/her age, and

information on the circumstances

surrounding first sexual intercourse

such as degree to which it was

wanted and type of relationship with

the partner.

+	 Response rates for the survey have

been high—about 80% in 1988,

1995, and 2002. Despite an

increasingly challenging climate for

surveys (22), response rates remain

high for 2006–2010 at 77%.

The data in this report also have

some limitations:

+	 Like all survey data, these data are

subject to sources of nonsampling

error. These include interviewer and

respondent factors such as possible

misunderstanding of questions on

the part of the interviewer or

respondent and bias due to giving

socially desirable answers. The

preparation and the conduct of the

survey were designed specifically to

minimize these sources of error (19).

+	 Because NSFG is a cross-sectional

survey, it is also subject to recall

error. Questions rely on respondents’

recall when reporting on their past

experiences. However, the

experiences that are highlighted in

this report are likely to have

occurred in the very recent past to

individuals aged 15–19.

+	 NSFG is designed to provide

national estimates by demographic

subgroups; it is not designed to

yield estimates for individual states.

Therefore no state data are available

from this survey.

Statistical Analysis

All estimates in this report were

weighted to reflect the approximately 21

million teenagers in the U.S. population,

that is, persons aged 15–19. Statistics

for this report were produced using SAS

software, version 9.2 (http://www.sas.

com/). For most tables, PROC

SURVEYFREQ was used to produce

weighted cross-tabulations that took into

account the complex sampling design of

NSFG in calculating estimates of

standard errors. Each table in this report

includes standard errors as a measure of

the precision of each point estimate. In

addition, PROC LIFETEST was used

for Table 14 to calculate probabilities of

a first birth at each age from 15 through

20 using life table methodology.

For two tables in this report

(Tables 9 and 14) women who were

over age 19 at interview were also
Series 23, No. 31 [ Page 5

included. The age was expanded in

these tables because additional ages

were needed to provide information on

events that happened during their teen

years, when using ages 15–19 at

interview was not possible or practical.

Table 9 presents data on unwanted first

sexual intercourse. Only women aged

18–44 were asked these questions, so

this information does not exist for

minors (those aged 15–17 at interview).

The questions asked respondents aged

18–44 to recall their first sex, which

could have happened at any age.

Therefore, it is possible to present data

on this important aspect of first

intercourse for women who had first sex

as a teenager, even if they are currently

over age 19. Interviews were conducted

with 3,078 females aged 18–24 and

2,700 males aged 18–24.

Table 14 presents life table

estimates of the probability of a first

birth at each age up to age 20, and for

statistical stability, it is necessary to

have sufficient observations at each age

year to contribute enough person-years

to calculate the risk of having had a first

birth before reaching each individual

age. Probabilities are calculated based

on retrospective reporting of the age at

the first birth. Including ages up to 24

allows sufficient observations at each

age during the teen years. The response

rates for those aged 20 and over were

78% for females and 75% for males.

These response rates are similar to the

rates for teenagers.

Some tables present statistics for all

teenagers while most tables show data

for teenagers who have never been

married. Teenagers who have never been

married are a population of particular

interest because they are at risk of

nonmarital pregnancy and childbearing.

In addition, in 1988 the NSAM universe

was limited to never-married teenaged

males. Therefore, to analyze the time

series since 1988, the universe of

teenagers must be consistent for each

survey year, across female and male

teenagers. In 2006–2010, as in past

cycles, very few teenagers had ever

been married: 1.1% of females and

0.5% of males.

Significance of differences among

subgroups was determined by standard

two-tailed t tests using point estimates and

their standard errors. No adjustments were

made for multiple comparisons. The

difference between any two estimates is

mentioned in the text only if it is

statistically significant. However, if a

comparison is not made, it may or may not

be significant. Otherwise, terms such as

‘‘similar’’ or ‘‘no significant differences’’

are used to indicate that the estimates being

compared were not significantly different.

A weighted least squares regression method

was used to test the significance of trends

that involved more than two time points.

In the description of the results,

when the percentage being cited is

below 10%, the text will cite the exact

percentage to one decimal point. To

make reading easier and to remind the

reader that the results are based on

samples and subject to sampling error,

percentages above 10% will generally

be shown rounded to the nearest whole

percentage. Readers should pay close

attention to the sampling errors for

small groups. In this report, percentages

are not shown if the sample

denominator is fewer than 75 cases or if

the numerator is fewer than 5 cases.

When a percentage or other statistic is

not shown for this reason, the table

contains an asterisk signifying that the

‘‘statistic does not meet standards of

reliability or precision.’’ For most

statistics presented in this report, the

numerators and denominators are much

larger. This report is intended to present

selected statistics on trends and

differences in the sexual, contraceptive,

and pregnancy experience of teenagers

in the United States through 2006–2010.

The results presented in this report are

descriptive and do not attempt to

demonstrate cause-and-effect

relationships.

Results

Sexual Behavior: Trends

and Current Prevalence

Among Teenagers, and

Partner Information

Sexual experience—Table 1 and

Figure 1 present the percentage of

never-married female and male

teenagers who were sexually

experienced (had ever had heterosexual

vaginal intercourse). Table 1 shows that

in 2006–2010, 43% of never-married

teenaged females and 42% of

never-married teenaged males had

experienced sexual intercourse at least

once. Observed differences between

2002 and 2006–2010 in the percentage

of sexually experienced females

(3 percentage points) and males

(4 percentage points), were not

statistically significant.

Overall, in the 20-year period from

1988 through 2006–2010, the percentage

of teenaged females who were sexually

experienced declined significantly (from

51% in 1988 to 43% in 2006–2010).

This decline has been gradual and

steady over these years with very small,

nonsignificant changes between any two

of the survey years. From a long-term

perspective, this significant long-term

decline is a reversal from a period

during which the percentage of

teenagers who were sexually

experienced was steadily increasing.

According to the National Survey of

Young Women, only 30% of teenaged

females were sexually experienced in

1971 (23) and this percentage rose each

survey year through 1988 before it

began declining.

For males, the lack of significant

change in sexual experience from 2002

through 2006–2010 is a departure from

a past trend of large and statistically

significant declines in sexual experience

prior to 2002. It declined 5 percentage

points between 1988 (60%) and 1995

(55%), and 9 percentage points between

1995 and 2002 (46%).

For never-married male and female

teenagers, within Hispanic origin and

race groups, none of the changes from

2002 through 2006–2010 in the

percentage sexually experienced were

statistically significant, with one

exception: among non-Hispanic black

females, there was a significant decrease

in the percentage sexually experienced

(from 57% in 2002 to 46% in

2006–2010). However, virtually all the

Hispanic origin and race groups

experienced significant long-term

declines in percentage sexually

experienced, from 1988 through

2006–2010. The one exception was
51 

60 

49 

55 

46 46 

43 42 

0 

10 

20 

30 

40 

50 

60 

70 

1988 1995 2002 2006–2010 confidence interval 

Female Male 

Percent 

NOTE: See Table 1. 

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Survey of Family Growth, 2006–2010. 

Figure 1. Never-married females and males aged 15–19 who have ever had sexual

intercourse: United States, 1988–2010

Page 6 [ Series 23, No. 31

female Hispanic teenagers, for whom

the trend has fluctuated since 1988.

Differences in the percentage

sexually experienced among nevermarried Hispanic, non-Hispanic white,

and non-Hispanic black female

teenagers were not significant in

2006–2010. This is a departure from the

past when non-Hispanic black female

teenagers were more likely to be

sexually experienced than non-Hispanic

white teenagers (1,2). For never-married

males, non-Hispanic black teenagers had

a higher percentage sexually

experienced than the other two groups,

and Hispanic teenagers were more likely

to be sexually experienced than

non-Hispanic white teenagers, who were

the least likely to be sexually

experienced.

Another current national source of

information on teenagers is the Youth

Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), a

biennial survey of high school students

in the United States, conducted by CDC

(24). In this survey of students in

9th–12th grades, the majority are aged

15–17.

Thus, comparability between NSFG

teenagers and the YRBS sample is

limited: the YRBS population is younger

and does not contain out-of-school

youth; however, despite some

differences in the long-term trends

within gender and Hispanic origin and

race groups, the overall long-term

decreases in sexual experience among

female and male teenagers are similar

across surveys (25). The two surveys are

also consistent with each other with

respect to current differences by

Hispanic origin and race in the

percentage of sexually experienced

males (2009 YRBS and 2006–2010

NSFG).

The 2006–2010 NSFG data show

clear patterns of sexual experience

among teenagers by family and parental

characteristics. For both male and

female teenagers, a significantly smaller

percentage were sexually experienced if:

+	 they lived with both parents when

they were aged 14

+	 their mothers had their first birth at

age 20 or over

+	 the teenager’s mother was a college

graduate

+	 the teenager lived with both of

her/his parents.

For example, 35% of female

never-married teenagers who lived with

both parents were sexually experienced,

compared with 54% among those who

lived in any other parental arrangement.

Frequency of Sexual

Activity

Teenagers who were sexually

experienced, that is, have had sex at

least once, varied as to how recently

they had had sex (Tables 2 and 3).

Recent sexual activity is an important

component of risk of pregnancy and

STDs. Tables 2 and 3 show the

percentage having sex within different

time frames, for the years 2002 and

2006–2010, for never-married females

and males, respectively. Table 2 shows,

for never-married female teenagers in

2006–2010: about one-quarter had sex

within a month of the survey, 31%

within 3 months, and 39% within 12

months. The findings are very similar

for males (22% had sex within a month

of the survey, 28% within 3 months, and

37% within 12 months). There was no

significant change from 2002 to

2006–2010 for females or males in the

percentage who had sex within 1 month,

3 months, or 12 months of the survey.

Having had sex in the past 3

months is a commonly used indicator of

current risk of pregnancy and STDs and

signifies the population ‘‘sexually

active’’ at a given time. Among

never-married female teenagers, the

percentage who were sexually active

varied little among Hispanic,

non-Hispanic white, and non-Hispanic

black females. This is consistent with

the findings for sexual experience

(Table 1). For male teenagers, however,

non-Hispanic black teenagers had

significantly higher percentages sexually

active (38%) compared with both

Hispanic (30%) and non-Hispanic white

(25%) teenagers. These differences are

long-standing as shown by data for

1988, 1995 and 2002 (1,2).

Older male and female teenagers

were about twice as likely to have had

sex at all, and three times more likely to

have had sex within the past 3 months

and within the past month, compared

with younger teenagers. A much lower

percentage of female teenagers from

households with both parents present

had sex in the past 3 months compared

with those from both stepparent and

single-parent households. For example,

among female teenagers from
Series 23, No. 31 [ Page 7

two-parent households, 21% had sex in

the past 3 months compared with 32%

from stepparent households and 35%

from single-parent households. For both

female and male teenagers, those whose

mothers had a birth as a teenager were

much more likely to have had sex in the

past 3 months (Tables 2 and 3).

Relationship With First

Partner

The majority of teenagers had first

sexual intercourse with someone with

whom they were ‘‘going steady’’

(Table 4), but the percentage was higher

for female (70%) than for male (56%)

teenagers. The distribution of sexually

experienced teenagers across these types

of relationships with first partners was

very similar to the distribution in 2002.

Sixteen percent of female teenagers

and 28% of male teenagers had first sex

with someone they had just met or with

whom they were ‘‘just friends.’’ There

were large differences by Hispanic

origin and race in the percentage of

female teenagers whose first sex was

with someone they were not regularly

involved with. Among female teenagers,

Hispanic teenagers were less likely

(8.7%) than non-Hispanic white (16%)

or non-Hispanic black (21%) teenagers

to have had first sex with someone they

had just met. There was no significant

difference between non-Hispanic black

and non-Hispanic white females in the

percentage who had ‘‘just met’’ their

first sexual partner.

Younger age at first sex for

teenaged females was associated with a

higher likelihood that their first sexual

partner was someone she was not

regularly involved with. Among

teenaged females whose first sex was at

age 14 or under, 24% had ‘‘just met’’ or

were ‘‘just friends’’ with their first

partner, compared with only 9.8% of

those who were aged 17–19 at first

intercourse. The same relationship holds

true for males.

Number of Partners

During the year prior to the survey,

25% of teenaged females had sex with

only one partner, compared with 21% of

male teenagers (Table 5 and 6). Older

age was associated with having had two

or three sexual partners over the past

year. For example, 6.1% of females

aged 15–17 had two or three partners in

the past 12 months, compared with 16%

of females aged 18–19. But this age

difference was significant only for males

who had four or more partners in the

past year (3.0% for those aged 15–17

compared with 6.9% for those aged

18–19). Only about 4% of male and

female teenagers had sex with four or

more partners in the last year (3.7% of

females and 4.5% of males). In

2006–2010 the number of sexual

partners in the past 12 months for male

and female teenagers is similar to the

number of partners reported in 2002.

Tables 7 and 8 show the total

numbers of opposite-sex sexual partners

in lifetime (defined as ‘‘to this point in

their lives’’ or ‘‘by the time of

interview’’) among never-married

sexually experienced female and male

teenagers. For sexually experienced

female teenagers in 2006–2010, 35%

had one male sexual partner in their

lives, 16% had two male partners, 32%

had between three and five male

partners, and 17% had six or more male

partners. For sexually experienced male

teenagers in 2006–2010, 30% had one

female sexual partner in their lives, 15%

had two female partners, 33% had

between three and five female partners,

and 22% had six or more female

partners. Males aged 18–19 were more

likely to report six or more partners in

their lifetime (28%) than males aged

15–17 (15%). For both male and female

teenagers, younger age at first sex leads

to higher numbers of partners, if only

because those who began having sex at

an earlier age had more time to

accumulate partners. The distribution of

opposite-sex lifetime partners in

2006–2010 is comparable to those found

in the 1988, 1995, and 2002 NSFGs.

Wantedness of First

Intercourse

To provide a fuller understanding of

the context of first sexual intercourse,

NSFG asked the degree to which first

intercourse was wanted by the

respondent. This question allowed

respondents to choose from ‘‘really

didn’t want it to happen at the time,’’ ‘‘I

had mixed feelings—part of me wanted

it to happen at the time and part of me

didn’t,’’ and ‘‘I really wanted it to

happen at the time.’’ This was asked of

both males and females aged 18–44.

Table 9 shows wantedness of first

intercourse for females and males for

2006–2010. Among females aged 18–24

whose first sex was before age 20, 11%

‘‘didn’t really want it to happen at the

time,’’ 48% had mixed feelings, and

41% ‘‘really wanted it to happen at the

time.’’ This distribution differs by age at

first sex. For those who had first sex at

age 14 years or under, 18% really didn’t

want it to happen, compared with only

8.9% among those who delayed first sex

to age 18 or 19. On the other hand,

almost one-third of those whose first sex

was at age 14 or under (30%) reported

they really wanted it to happen at the

time. Young non-Hispanic black females

were less likely (31%) than nonHispanic white (44%) and Hispanic

females (42%) to report that they really

wanted their first sex to happen at the

time it happened.

Males were more likely to report

that first intercourse was wanted at the

time it happened. Among males aged

18–24 whose first sex was before age

20, 63% reported really wanting it to

happen at the time, while 33% reported

mixed feelings and only 5.0% reported

not really wanting it to happen. Very

small percentages of males chose this

‘‘least wanted’’ category, across all

demographic and partner-age subgroups.

Young non-Hispanic black males were

less likely (52%) than young

non-Hispanic white males (67%) to

report that they really wanted to have

sexual intercourse at the time it

happened. Non-Hispanic black males

were more likely (9.0%) than

non-Hispanic white males (3.2%) to

report they did not want to have sexual

intercourse the first time it happened.

Contraceptive Use Among

Teenagers

The next several tables (Tables 10–

13) show findings on several different
Page 8 [ Series 23, No. 31

aspects, or measures, of contraceptive

use among teenagers: having ever used

a method, use at first intercourse, and

use at the most recent intercourse. The

first two of these tables are limited to

teenagers who have ever had vaginal

intercourse. The third table presents

recent contraceptive use, limited to

teenagers who had sex within the 3

months before the interview, and the

fourth table is limited to those who had

sex within the month before the

interview.

Ever-use of contraceptives

Table 10 shows the percentage of

sexually experienced females aged 15–19

who had ever used each of several methods

of birth control. From 1995 through

2006–2010, the data show that virtually all

sexually experienced teenagers have used

some method of contraception. Since 1995,

more than 96% of sexually experienced

female teenagers had ever used a

contraceptive method. The most commonly

used method among teenagers in

2006–2010 remained the condom (reported

by 96% of females), followed by

withdrawal (57%) and the pill (56%). Since

2002, the use of highly effective hormonal

contraceptive injectables (primarily

Depo-Provera) remained stable. About 20%

of females in 2002 and 2006–2010

reported using hormonal contraceptive

injectables.

Use of the contraceptive patch by

teenagers increased significantly from

about 2% in 2002, when it was newly

introduced, to 10% by 2006–2010. Since

2002, the use of emergency

contraception has significantly increased,

from 8% in 2002 to 14% in 2006–2010.

The percentage of sexually experienced

teenaged females ever using periodic

abstinence, or the calendar rhythm

method, appeared to increase from 11%

in 2002 to 15% in 2006–2010, but this

observed difference was not statistically

significant. A small percentage of

teenagers (5.2%) had used the recently

introduced contraceptive ring.

Contraceptive use at first

intercourse

Table 11 shows never-married

sexually experienced females and males

aged 15–19 by their use of

contraception at their first intercourse.

Among teenaged females in 2006–2010,

78% used a contraceptive method at

first sex. The most common method at

first intercourse was the condom (68%)

followed by the pill (16%) (Figure 2).

Teenaged females showed a significant

increase in the percentage using ‘‘other

hormonal’’ methods, from 2% in 2002

to 6% in 2006–2010. These methods

include injectables, emergency

contraception, the contraceptive patch,

and as of 2006–2010, the contraceptive

ring. No other significant change

occurred in teenaged females’ use of

contraception at first intercourse overall

and in use of the pill, condom, other

methods, and dual methods, from 2002

through 2006–2010. While the

proportion of teenagers who have

protected first intercourse has not

changed over the past 6 or so years,

significant improvements have occurred

over the past 20 years. Since 1988,

significantly larger proportions of

female teenagers have used the pill, the

condom, and the condom and a

hormonal method combined. This

translates to significant increases in

method use overall at first sex, between

1988 and 2006–2010, for teenaged

females.

2002 2006–2010 confidence interval 

75 

66 

17 

2 

78 

68 

16 

6 

0 

10 

20 

30 

40 

50 

60 

70 

80 

90 

Percent 

Any method Condom at all Pill at all Other hormonal1 

1

Includes Lunelle injectable, emergency contraception, and contraceptive patch in 2002; adds contraceptive ring 

(Nuva-Ring) and Implanon implant in 2006–2010. 

NOTE: See Table 11. 

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Survey of Family Growth, 2006–2010. 

Figure 2. Use of contraception at first sex among females aged 15–19, by method used:

United States, 2006–2010

Hispanic origin and race groups

differ in their use of contraception at

first sex. While 82% of non-Hispanic

white females used a method at first

sex, 71% of non-Hispanic black females

did so—a significant 11 percentage-point

difference (Figure 4). Hispanic females’

use of any method at first sex did not

differ significantly from the other two

groups. Non-Hispanic white female

teenagers were more likely to use the

pill at first sex than were non-Hispanic

black and Hispanic female teenagers.

Non-Hispanic white female teenagers

also had the highest percentages using

dual methods (a condom and a

hormonal method combined). Condom

use at first sex did not differ

significantly among the three groups.

This varies from the pattern that existed

in 1988 and 2002, when non-Hispanic

black females’ use of condoms was

significantly lower than that of

non-Hispanic white females’ use (1,2).

Important differences exist for

female teenagers’ likelihood of using

contraception at first sex, by their age

and their partner’s age at first sex. Both

younger age at first sex and having an

older partner are associated with a lower

likelihood of contraceptive use. For

example, among female teenagers whose

first partner was the same age or
80 

90 

100 

Hispanic Non-Hispanic white Non-Hispanic black confidence interval 

66 

78 

71 74 

82 

71 

70 

60 

50 

40 

30 

20 

10 

0 

2002	 2006–2010 

Years	 

Percent 

NOTE: See Table 12.
 

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Survey of Family Growth, 2006–2010 and Table 15 in (1). 

Series 23, No. 31 [ Page 9

Probability 

0.0 

0.1 

0.2 

0.3 

17 18 19 20

NOTE: See Table 14. 

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Survey of Family Growth, 2006–2010. 

Under age 20 

0.07 

0.14 

0.22 

0.29 

0.02 

0.05 

0.09 

0.14 

Aged 20 and over 

Age in years 

Figure 3. Probability of a first birth by age 17, 18, 19, and 20 for females aged 15–24, by

their mother’s age at first birth: United States, 2006–2010	 

method (dual methods), an increase of

6 percentage points from 2002. The use

of any contraceptive method at first sex

was not significantly different from

2002 through 2006–2010 for sexually

experienced males. As was the case for

females, use of a contraceptive method

at first sex has increased for male

teenagers: significant increases occurred

in the 20 years from 1988 through

2006–2010 in use of the condom,

(partner’s use of the) pill, other

hormonal methods, and the use of dual

methods at first sex.

Male teenagers were somewhat

similar to female teenagers in their

contraceptive use at first sex by

Hispanic origin and race groups

(Figure 5). Non-Hispanic white males

reported higher levels of (partner’s) pill

use and dual-method use than

non-Hispanic black or Hispanic male

teenagers, as was the case for females.

Male teenagers showed no significant

differences in condom use at first sex,

and no significant differences in overall

method use at first sex, across Hispanic

origin and race groups. This is a clear

change from past patterns, when

Hispanic and non-Hispanic black males

were more likely than non-Hispanic

white males to have unprotected first

sex (1,2). This is consistent with

converging birth and pregnancy rates

among the Hispanic origin and race

groups.

Contraceptive use at most

recent intercourse

For never-married females and

males aged 15–19 who had sexual

intercourse in the 3 months before the

interview, Table 12 shows the percentage

Figure 4. Use of contraception at first sex among females aged 15–19, by Hispanic origin

and race: United States, 2002 and 2006–2010

younger than themselves, 83% used

contraception at first sex compared with

64% among those with first partners

who were 4 or more years older.

Among never-married sexually

experienced male teenagers, 85%

reported having used contraception at

first intercourse. Sexually experienced

male teenagers’ use of the condom and

of dual methods at first sex increased

significantly between 2002 and

2006–2010. Eighty percent of teenaged

males used a condom at first sex, an

increase of 9 percentage points from

2002, and 16% used a condom in

combination with a female hormonal

that used a method of birth control at

the most recent (last) sexual intercourse.

Contraceptive use at last intercourse

among sexually active females has

remained stable since 2002, as was the

case for contraceptive use at first

intercourse. Thus, the increases in

contraceptive use seen between 1995

and 2002 (1) did not continue into the

later 2000s. For example, between 1995

and 2002 the percentage of females not

using contraception at last sex dropped

from 29% to 17%, and in 2006–2010 it

was similar to the 2002 level, at 14%.
73 

85 84

89 86 

82 

2002 

Years 

2006–2010 

Percent 

NOTE: See Table 12. 

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Survey of Family Growth, 2006–2010 and Table 16 in (1). 

Hispanic Non-Hispanic white Non-Hispanic black confidence interval 

0 

10 

20 

30 

40 

50 

60 

70 

80 

90 

100 

Figure 5. Use of contraception at first sex among males aged 15–19, by Hispanic origin and

race: United States, 2002 and 2006–2010

Page 10 [ Series 23, No. 31

As was the case for method use at first

sex, there were significant changes

across the longer term in method use at

last sex: from 1988 through 2006–2010,

significantly higher percentages of

never-married, sexually active female

teenagers used any method at last sex,

used the condom at last sex, and used

dual methods at last sex. Significantly

Non-Hispanic white Non-Hispanic black 

Percent 

NOTE: See Table 12. 

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Survey of Family Growth, 2006–2010 and Table 20 in (1). 

confidence interval 

90 

97 

75 

92 

0 

10 

20 

30 

40 

50 

60 

70 

80 

90 

100 

2002 

Years 

2006–2010 

Figure 6. Use of contraception at last sex among females aged 15–19, by race:

United States, 2002 and 2006–2010

lower percentages of never-married

sexually active females used the pill at

last sex, but this trend appears to be

compensated for by significantly higher

percentages using other hormonal

methods such as injectables and the

patch. In 2006–2010, 86% of

never-married sexually active female

teenagers used a method at their most

recent intercourse: 52% used the

condom, 31% used the pill, and 20%

used both the condom and the pill (or

another hormonal method) at the same

time. Eleven percent used other

hormonal methods including injectables,

emergency contraception, the patch, and

the ring.

Similar to the trend for females,

never-married, sexually active males

experienced no significant change

between 2002 and 2006–2010 in the use

of any method of contraception at last

intercourse (Table 12). Contraceptive use

remained at a very high level: 93% used

a method of contraception at last

intercourse. Condom use remained high:

75% used a condom at last sex in

2006–2010, similar to the level in 2002,

which was 71%. However, males’

reports of their partner’s pill use

increased significantly from 31% to

39% at last sex, as did the use of dual

methods, from 24% to 34% from 2002

to 2006–2010.

Differences in teen contraceptive

use at last sex by Hispanic origin and

race mirror some of those for method

use at first sex. Among females, there

were no significant differences across

Hispanic origin and race groups in

percentages using a method at last sex;

this is a departure from 2002 and 1988

when black females had lower

percentages using contraception at last

sex (Figure 6) (1,2). Among sexually

active males, however, Hispanic males

were less likely to use contraception at

last sex than their non-Hispanic white

and black counterparts.

Non-Hispanic white sexually active

teenagers were more likely to have used

the pill at last sex than were nonHispanic black and Hispanic teenagers:

39% of sexually active non-Hispanic

white teenagers used the pill at last sex

compared with 14% of non-Hispanic

black and 17% of Hispanic counterparts.

For never-married sexually active male

and female teenagers, the age at which they

had first intercourse made a difference in

the likelihood of using contraception at the

most recent sex. For example, among

never-married sexually active females who

were aged 14 or under at first sex, 73%

used contraception at last sex compared

with 93% of those who were aged 17–19

at first sex.
Series 23, No. 31 [ Page 11

Table 13 shows consistency of

condom use for never-married male and

female teenagers who were sexually

active in the 4 weeks prior to the

interview. About one-half of females and

67% of males reported using condoms

consistently (100% of the time) in the

last 4 weeks. For female teenagers, a

higher percentage reported not using the

condom at all if they only had one

partner in the past 12 months (45%)

compared with those who had two or

more partners in the past 12 months

(31%).

Births to Teenagers

The 2006–2010 NSFG data show

that for females aged 15–24, the

probability of having had a birth before

age 20 was 18% (Table 14). This

probability is the same as that shown in

the 2002 NSFG data (1) and was

calculated using life table methodology

(26). As expected, the probability of

having had a birth increases with age. In

2006–2010, the probability of young

females aged 15–24 having had a birth

by age 15 was less than 1% compared

with 18% by age 20.

There are significant differences by

race and ethnicity in the probability of

having had a first birth by the end of

each adolescent year. Non-Hispanic

white youth generally had the lowest

risk of having a birth at each age.

Hispanic teenagers, on the other hand,

had the highest risk of having a teen

birth. Non-Hispanic black teenagers’

probability of having had a first birth

between the ages of 15 and 19 was

higher than that of non-Hispanic white

teenagers but lower than for Hispanic

teenagers. Only 14% of non-Hispanic

white females had a first birth by age

20, compared with 26% of non-Hispanic

black and 30% of Hispanic females.

As has been widely documented,

characteristics of adolescents’ mothers

also influence their timing of a first

birth (27). For young females whose

mother also had a birth before age 20,

the probability of a birth by age 19 was

22%, compared with 9% of those whose

mother delayed childbearing until after

age 20 (Figure 3). The probability of

having had a birth in the teen years is

also higher for young females whose

mother had lower levels of education. In

addition, having lived with both

biological parents at age 14 had a

positive impact on delaying the age at

first birth. The probability of having a

birth by age 19 was 7% for young

females who lived with both parents at

age 14, compared with 21% for those

who lived with a biological mother and

a stepfather at age 14 and 23% for those

who had other living arrangements.

Having used a method of contraception

at first sexual intercourse also lowered

the probability that a young female had

a birth in her teen years.

Reasons for Not Having

Had Sex

Table 15 shows responses of teenagers

who have never had sex to a question

asking them to choose the most important

reason for not having had intercourse yet.

The response choices were: ‘‘against

religion or morals,’’ ‘‘don’t want to get

pregnant/get a female pregnant,’’ ‘‘don’t

want to get a sexually transmitted disease,’’

‘‘haven’t found the right person yet,’’ ‘‘in a

relationship, but waiting for the right time,’’

and ‘‘other.’’ The most frequent reason

given for not having had sex remained the

same as it had been in 2002: that it is

‘‘against religion or morals.’’ Among

teenagers who had never had sex, 41% of

females and 31% of males chose this as

their main reason for not having had sex.

In 2006–2010, the second most common

reason chosen by males was ‘‘haven’t

found the right person yet.’’ This response

increased significantly for male teenagers

from 21% in 2002 to 29% in 2006–2010.

For females in 2006–2010, ‘‘don’t want to

get pregnant’’ (18%) and ‘‘haven’t found

the right person yet’’ (19%) were the

second and third most common reasons

chosen. The percentage of males choosing

‘‘don’t want to get (a female) pregnant’’ as

their main reason for not having had sex

declined by one-half between 2002 and

2006–2010, from 25% to 13%. Teenagers

were least likely to choose ‘‘don’t want to

get a sexually transmitted disease’’ as the

reason for not having had sex.

In 2006–2010 non-Hispanic white

females (48%) were more likely to

choose ‘‘against religion or morals’’ as

their most important reason for not

having had sex compared with Hispanic

(28%) and non-Hispanic black females

(29%). Non-Hispanic white males (33%)

were more likely than non-Hispanic

black males (21%) to report ‘‘against

religion or morals’’ as their most

important reason for not having had sex.

Feelings About a

Hypothetical Pregnancy

Finally, Table 16 depicts teenagers’

reactions to the prospect of getting (a

female) pregnant ‘‘now.’’ Neither male

nor female teenagers showed any

changes since 2002 in their reactions to

a hypothetical pregnancy. In 2006–2010,

among never-married teenagers, 13% of

females and 19% of males reported they

would be ‘‘a little pleased’’ or ‘‘very

pleased’’ if they became pregnant now

or got a female pregnant now. On the

other hand, 57% of females and 46% of

males reported they would be ‘‘very

upset’’ if this happened. Teenagers who

had never had sex and teenagers living

with both biological parents at age 14

were more likely than other groups to

report they would be very upset if they

became pregnant.

Conclusion

The data in this report provide an

update of information from the 2002

and earlier time points of NSFG data,

on the indicators of sexual activity,

contraceptive use, childbearing, and

other factors affecting the risk of

pregnancy and STD and HIV infection

among the U.S. teenaged population.

Compared with data from 2002, the

2006–2010 NSFG shows that fewer

changes occurred in the determinants of

pregnancy and STD risk (sexual activity

and contraceptive use) as well as the

nature and circumstances of sexual

experiences. These stand in contrast to

the long-term trends from 1988 through

2002 that were more consistently toward

reductions in sexual risk behaviors.

The two determinants of

pregnancy—sexual activity and

contraceptive use—remained stable

among teenagers from 2002 through

2006–2010 overall. Specifically, the
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

	 

 

 

 

 

	 

 

 

 

 

	 

 

 

 

 

 

	 

 

 

 

 

	 

 

 

 

	 

 

 

 

 

	 

 

Page 12 [ Series 23, No. 31

percentage of never-married male and 

female teenagers who were sexually 

experienced, the percentage having had 

sex recently, and the percentage using a 

method of contraception at first and at 

last intercourse, remained unchanged 

from 2002 through 2006–2010. 

However, the use of some specific 

contraceptive methods increased: males’ 

use of the condom and of dual methods 

at first intercourse increased, as did their 

reporting of female pill use and use of 

dual methods at last intercourse. The 

2006–2010 data showed that female 

teenagers were using a wider array of 

hormonal methods than was available in 

previous years: a larger proportion used 

hormonal methods other than the pill at 

first sex, and a higher percentage had 

ever used emergency contraception 

(14%), the contraceptive patch (10%), 

and the contraceptive ring (5%). Pill and 

injectable use have not changed 

significantly since 2002. 

Together these developments 

suggest, overall, no clear-cut direction 

of trend in exposure to the risk of 

pregnancy and STDs since 2002. This is 

a departure from the trends during prior 

years (for example, 1988 through 2002), 

when there were declines in sexual 

activity and increases in contraceptive 

use among teenagers, consistent with 

declines in teen pregnancy and birth 

rates during that period. The lack of 

change in risk behaviors between 2002 

and 2006–2010 is consistent with recent 

trends in teen pregnancy and birth rates, 

when despite small fluctuations in rates 

between 2005 and 2008, the birth rates 

were essentially the same in 2002 and 

2008—years that correspond to the last 

two NSFG years. 

In 2006–2010 fewer differences 

existed among Hispanic origin and race 

groups in sexual experience and 

contraceptive use than in the past. For 

females, differences by Hispanic origin 

and race in the percentage who were 

sexually experienced were smaller in 

2006–2010 than in the past (in 2002, 

1995, and 1988) (2), due to the large 

and significant decline in percentage 

sexually experienced among nevermarried non-Hispanic black female 

teenagers from 2002 through 

2006–2010. Among never-married male 

teenagers, however, differences across 

the three Hispanic origin and race 

groups persisted, with non-Hispanic 

black males having the highest 

percentages sexually experienced and 

the highest percentages sexually active 

(had sex in the past 3 months). 

In 2006–2010, there were also 

fewer differences by Hispanic origin and 

race in overall contraceptive use at first 

and last sex. This was due largely to the 

increasing prevalence of condom use 

among all three Hispanic origin and race 

groups. A few differences were still 

evident, however: non-Hispanic black 

females were more likely to have 

unprotected first sex than were 

non-Hispanic white females. Hispanic 

males were more likely to have 

unprotected recent sex than were 

non-Hispanic white males. 

These patterns translate to persisting 

higher risk for pregnancy among 

non-Hispanic black and Hispanic 

teenagers compared with non-Hispanic 

white teenagers, which can be seen in 

their higher birth and pregnancy rates. 

However, the 2006–2010 data also show 

that while differences in risk of 

pregnancy persist, the gap between the 

three groups is narrowing. For example, 

in 1990, the birth rate for non-Hispanic 

black teenagers was higher than the rate 

for non-Hispanic white teenagers by 73 

births per 1,000 women. In 2009, this 

difference was 33. Similarly, in 1990 the 

birth rate for Hispanic teenagers 

exceeded that of non-Hispanic white 

teenagers by 57 births per 1,000 women, 

while in 2009 it had decreased to a 

difference of 44 (see Table). 

As previous data showed, having 

first sex at a younger age within the 

teen years is associated with more 

negative circumstances and 

consequences. It is associated with less 

familiarity with first partner, higher 

likelihood that first sexual intercourse 

was unwanted, higher numbers of sexual 

partners, and lower likelihood of using 

contraception at both first and last sex. 

These notable findings are presented 

in this report with the intention of 

providing some basic descriptive 

statistics on teen risk behaviors and to 

update previous reports. Over the past 

20 years, early large reductions in teen 

pregnancy and STD risk behaviors 

overall have abated somewhat, 

consistent with trends in teen birth rates. 

However, there has been no reversal 

back to earlier levels of risky behaviors, 

newer contraceptive methods continue to 

become more widespread, and Hispanic 

origin and race group differences have 

diminished for many risk behaviors. 

Further analyses are needed to take 

advantage of the detailed information 

and retrospective histories available in 

NSFG data. 

References 

1.Abma JC, Martinez GM, Mosher WD, 

Dawson BS. Teenagers in the United 

States: Sexual activity, contraceptive 

use, and childbearing, 2002. National 

Center for Health Statistics. Vital 

Health Stat 23(24). 2004. Available 

from: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/ 

series/sr_23/sr23_024.pdf. 

2.Abma JC, Sonenstein FL. Sexual activity 

and contraceptive practices among 

teenagers in the United States, 1988 and 

1995. National Center for Health Statistics. 

Vital Health Stat 23(21). 2001. Available 

from: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/ 

sr_23/sr23_021.pdf. 

.Abma JC, Martinez GM, Copen CE. 3. 

Teenagers in the United States: Sexual 

activity, contraceptive use, and 

childbearing, National Survey of 

Family Growth 2006–2008. National 

Center for Health Statistics. Vital 

Health Stat 23(30). 2010. Available 

from: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/ 

series/sr_23/sr23_030.pdf. 

4.Pazol K, Warner L, Gavin L, Callaghan 

WM, Spitz AM, Anderson JE, et al. 

Vital signs: Teen pregnancy—United 

States, 1991–2009. MMWR 60(13): 

414–20. 2011. Available from: 

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/wk/ 

mm6013.pdf. 

5.The National Campaign to Prevent 

Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. 

Counting it up: The public costs of teen 

childbearing: Key data. 2011. Available 

from: http://www.thenationalcampaign. 

org/costs/pdf/counting-it-up/keydata.pdf. 

6.Hamilton BE, Martin JA, Ventura SJ. 

Births: Preliminary data for 2009. National 

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National Center for Health Statistics. 2010. 

Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/ 

nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr59/nvsr59_03.pdf. 

7.United Nations Statistics Division. 

Demographic yearbook 2008. Available 
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demographic/products/dyb/dyb2008.htm.

Ventura SJ, Hamilton BE. U.S. teenage

birth rate resumes decline. NCHS data

Tao G, Irwin KL. 2004. The estimated

direct medical cost of sexually

transmitted diseases among American

youth, 2000. Perspect Sex Reprod

brief, no 58. Hyattsville, MD: National

Center for Health Statistics. 2011. 18.

Health 36(1):11–19. 2004.

Lepkowski JM, Mosher WD, Davis

Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/

nchs/data/databriefs/db58.htm.

KE, et al. The 2006–2010 National

Survey of Family Growth: Sample

9. Martin JA, Hamilton BE, Sutton PD, et

al. Births: Final data for 2008. National

vital statistics reports; vol 59 no 1.

Hyattsville, MD: National Center for

Health Statistics. 2010. Available from:

design and analysis of a continuous

survey. National Center for Health

Statistics. Vital Health Stat 2(150).

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gov/nchs/data/series/sr_02/sr02_150.pdf.

10.

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/

nvsr59/nvsr59_01.pdf.

Moore KA. Teen births: Examining the

recent increase. Research Brief.

19. Groves RM, Mosher WD, Lepkowski J,

Kirgis NG. Planning and development

of the continuous National Survey of

Family Growth. National Center for

Washington, DC: Child Trends, Inc.

2009. Available from: http://www.

Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat

1(48). 2009. Available from: http://

childtrends.org/Files//Child_Trends_

2009_03_13_FS_TeenBirthRate.pdf.

www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_01/

sr01_048.pdf.

11. The National Campaign to Prevent Teen

and Unplanned Pregnancy. Briefly ...A

20. Office of Management and Budget.

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from: http://www.thenationalcampaign.org/

resources/birthdata/Teen_Birth_Rate_

Increase_Analysis.pdf.

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Ventura SJ. State disparities in teenage

birth rates in the United States. NCHS

data brief, no 46. Hyattsville, MD:

21.

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classification of federal data on race

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Krosnick JA. Response rates,

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Huffington, and more: Reflections on

the 58th annual conference. AAPOR

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gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db46.pdf.

Ventura SJ, Abma JC, Mosher WD.

News. American Association for Public

Opinion Research. 31(2):4–5. 2003.

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for Health Statistics. 2009. Available

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CA: Sage. 1981.

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nvsr/nvsr58/nvsr58_04.pdf.

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teenage pregnancies, births and

59(SS–5). Available from: http://

www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/ss/ss5905.pdf.

abortions: National and state trends and 25. Centers for Disease Control and

trends by race and ethnicity. New York, Prevention. Trends in HIV- and

NY: Guttmacher Institute. 2010.

Available from: http://www.guttmacher.

STD-related behaviors among high school

students—United States, 1991–2007.

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org/pubs/USTPtrends.pdf.

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MMWR 57(30). 2008. Available from:

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/

Prevention. Sexually transmitted

disease surveillance 2009. Atlanta, GA: 26.

mmwrhtml/mm5730a1.htm.

Preston SM, Heuveline P, Guillot M.

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http://www.cdc.gov/std/stats09/

surv2009-Complete.pdf.

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Page 14 [ Series 23, No. 31

Table 1. Never-married females and males aged 15–19 who have ever had sexual intercourse: United States, 1988, 1995, 2002, and

2006–2010

1988 1995 2002 2006–2010

Number in Standard Number in Standard Number in Standard Number in Standard

Characteristic thousands Percent error thousands Percent error thousands Percent error thousands Percent error

Female

Total1 ................ 8,631 51.1 1.7 8,509 49.3 1.4 9,598 45.5 1.8 10,361 42.6 1.7

Hispanic origin and race:

Hispanic or Latina ....... 927 45.8 6.2 1,050 52.7 4.0 1,447 37.4 3.6 1,849 42.1 3.3

Non-Hispanic white ...... 6,113 50.4 2.2 5,650 48.5 1.8 6,099 45.1 2.6 6,150 41.9 2.4

Non-Hispanic black ...... 1,315 60.4 3.1 1,355 59.3 3.1 1,496 56.9 3.0 1,691 46.4 3.0

Age:

15–17 years ........... 5,244 37.2 2.4 5,293 38.0 1.8 5,815 30.3 2.1 5,820 27.0 1.8

18–19 years ........... 3,387 72.6 2.5 3,216 68.0 2.1 3,783 68.8 2.4 4,541 62.7 2.7

Mother’s age at first birth:

Under 20 years ......... 3,161 63.7 2.8 2,761 59.8 2.8 2,983 56.3 3.2 3,093 52.0 2.5

20 years or over ........ 5,470 43.8 2.3 5,666 43.8 1.6 6,531 40.6 2.5 7,109 38.4 2.0

Mother’s education:

No high school diploma or

GED............... 2,199 55.4 3.3 1,547 60.2 3.8 1,565 43.9 3.8 1,604 50.5 3.7

High school diploma or GED. 3,574 49.4 2.8 3,407 47.2 2.3 3,172 50.8 3.1 3,080 43.1 2.7

Some college or higher .... 2,858 49.8 – – – 3,474 45.8 – – – 4,826 42.2 2.6 5,652 40.2 2.6

Family structure at age 14:

Both biological or adoptive

parents ............. 5,547 44.9 2.2 4,851 42.5 1.8 6,078 38.7 2.1 6,345 35.2 2.1

Other2 .............. 3,084 62.2 – – – 3,659 58.3 – – – 3,520 57.2 3.1 4,016 54.4 2.4

Male

Total1 ................ 8,905 60.4 2.0 9,038 55.2 2.0 10,139 45.7 2.1 10,766 41.8 1.6

Hispanic origin and race:

Hispanic or Latino ....... 828 59.7 4.4 1,148 60.9 3.8 1,603 54.8 4.3 2,000 46.0 3.0

Non-Hispanic white ...... 6,491 56.8 2.6 6,491 56.8 2.7 6,462 40.8 2.5 6,405 36.7 2.2

Non-Hispanic black ...... 1,300 80.6 2.4 1,301 80.4 1.9 1,468 63.3 4.4 1,673 58.4 3.0

Age:

15–17 years ........... 5,485 50.0 2.4 5,658 43.1 1.9 5,726 31.3 2.4 6,623 28.0 1.8

18–19 years ........... 3,419 77.3 2.6 3,380 75.4 2.7 4,413 64.3 3.0 4,143 63.9 2.4

Mother’s age at first birth:

Under 20 years ......... 2,832 71.6 2.9 3,597 68.6 2.3 2,485 55.6 3.6 2,733 56.3 3.0

20 years or over ........ 6,073 55.0 2.4 5,441 46.8 2.6 7,575 42.2 2.5 7,880 36.9 1.7

Mother’s education:

No high school diploma or

GED............... 1,380 67.3 3.4 1,419 59.8 4.4 1,240 48.0 4.7 1,395 48.5 3.6

High school diploma or

GED............... 4,078 65.3 3.0 3,751 58.0 2.7 3,283 51.4 3.4 3,585 46.7 2.5

Some college or higher .... 3,446 52.0 – – – 3,877 50.5 – – – 5,600 41.8 2.6 5,736 36.9 2.1

Family structure at age 14:

Both biological or adoptive

parents ............. 6,278 57.0 2.4 6,173 50.4 2.6 6,974 40.4 2.5 6,752 35.1 2.0

Other2 .............. 2,628 68.3 – – – 2,865 65.1 – – – 3,165 57.1 3.4 4,014 53.0 2.3

– – – Data not available. 
 

1

Includes persons of other or unknown origin and race groups, those with a mother-figure who had no births, and those who reported no mother-figure, not shown separately.
 

2

Refers to anything other than two biological or adoptive parents, including single parent, stepparent, and no parents.
 

NOTES: Numbers and percentages reflect heterosexual vaginal sexual intercourse only, not other types of sexual activity. GED is General Educational Development high school equivalency diploma.
 

SOURCES: CDC/NCHS, National Survey of Family Growth (females, 1988, 2002, and 2006–2010 and males, 2002 and 2006–2010) and Urban Institute, National Survey of Adolescent Males (males,
 

1988 and 1995).
 
Series 23, No. 31 [ Page 15

Table 2. Never-married females aged 15–19 who have ever had sex in the past 12 months, in the past 3 months, and in the past month:

United States, 2002 and 2006–2010

Had sex in Had sex in Had sex

Ever had sex last 12 months last 3 months last month

Number in Standard Standard Standard Standard

Characteristic thousands Percent error Percent error Percent error Percent error

Total 2002 ................................ 9,598 45.5 1.8 41.3 1.9 34.4 1.7 27.8 1.8

Total 2006–20101 ........................... 10,361 42.6 1.7 39.1 1.7 30.6 1.5 25.5 1.3

Total 2006–2010

Hispanic origin and race:

Hispanic or Latina .......................... 1,849 42.1 3.3 38.3 3.7 29.1 3.3 23.6 2.9

Non-Hispanic white ......................... 6,150 41.9 2.4 38.4 2.3 30.5 2.0 25.3 1.8

Non-Hispanic black ......................... 1,691 46.4 3.0 43.6 3.0 33.4 2.8 28.5 2.7

Age:

15–17 years ............................. 5,820 27.0 1.8 24.6 1.8 18.0 1.5 13.6 1.3

18–19 years ............................. 4,541 62.7 2.7 57.7 2.6 46.9 2.4 40.7 2.2

Living arrangement:

Both biological or adoptive parents ............... 4,688 29.8 2.1 26.4 2.1 20.7 1.9 17.1 1.7

Biological and step or adoptive parent ............. 1,358 53.8 4.1 49.8 4.2 32.0 3.8 23.5 3.2

Single parent (biological, adoptive, or stepparent) ...... 2,876 47.6 2.5 43.9 2.4 35.1 2.3 29.5 2.0

Mother’s age at first birth:

Under 20 years ........................... 3,093 52.0 2.5 47.8 2.6 38.2 2.5 31.5 2.3

20 years or over ........................... 7,109 38.4 2.0 35.1 1.9 27.1 1.7 22.8 1.6

1

Includes persons of other or unknown origin and race groups, those in living arrangements that did not include parents or parent-figures, and those with a mother-figure who had no births, not shown
 

separately.
 

NOTE: Numbers and percentages reflect heterosexual vaginal sexual intercourse only, not other types of sexual activity.
 

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Survey of Family Growth, 2002 and 2006–2010.
 

Table 3. Never-married males aged 15–19 who have ever had sex in the past 12 months, in the past 3 months, and in the past month:

United States, 2002 and 2006–2010

Had sex in Had sex in Had sex

Ever had sex last 12 months last 3 months last month

Number in Standard Standard Standard Standard

Characteristic thousands Percent error Percent error Percent error Percent error

Total 2002 ................................ 10,139 45.7 2.1 39.4 2.1 31.2 1.8 25.0 1.6

Total 2006–20101 ........................... 10,766 41.8 1.6 37.4 1.5 27.6 1.5 21.5 1.2

Total 2006–2010

Hispanic origin and race:

Hispanic or Latino .......................... 2,000 46.0 3.0 41.5 2.7 29.7 2.5 22.1 2.4

Non-Hispanic white ......................... 6,405 36.7 2.2 33.5 2.1 24.5 2.1 19.5 1.6

Non-Hispanic black ......................... 1,673 58.4 3.0 49.3 2.7 38.1 2.5 29.6 2.4

Age:

15–17 years ............................. 6,623 28.0 1.8 24.9 1.6 17.9 1.5 12.1 1.2

18–19 years ............................. 4,143 63.9 2.4 57.2 2.3 43.1 2.3 36.5 2.0

Living arrangement:

Both biological or adoptive parents ............... 5,282 29.3 2.2 25.6 2.1 17.8 1.9 12.9 1.4

Biological and step or adoptive parent ............. 1,540 46.8 3.6 42.2 3.6 31.9 3.8 22.1 3.4

Single parent (biological, adoptive, or stepparent) ...... 2,828 50.4 2.7 45.2 2.7 31.7 2.4 25.5 2.3

Mother’s age at first birth:

Under 20 years ........................... 2,733 56.3 3.0 50.8 3.1 39.6 3.2 30.6 2.5

20 years or over ........................... 7,880 36.9 1.7 32.9 1.6 23.4 1.6 18.5 1.4

1

Includes persons of other or unknown origin and race groups, those in living arrangements that did not include parents or parent-figures, and those with a mother-figure who had no births, not shown
 

separately.
 

NOTE: Numbers and percentages reflect heterosexual vaginal sexual intercourse only, not other types of sexual activity.
 

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Survey of Family Growth, 2002 and 2006–2010.
 
Page 16 [ Series 23, No. 31

Table 4. Relationship with partner at first sex for females and males aged 15–19: United States, 2002 and 2006–2010

Just met Going out Cohabiting,

Number in or just Standard once in Standard Going Standard engaged, or Standard

Characteristic thousands Total friends error a while error steady error married error

Female Percent distribution

Total 2002 ...................... 4,598 100.0 14.0 2.1 6.6 1.2 74.3 2.6 3.7 1.1

Total 2006–20101 .................. 4,531 100.0 15.7 1.6 8.6 1.1 69.8 2.1 2.6 0.6

Female 2006–2010

Hispanic origin and race:

Hispanic or Latina ................ 833 100.0 8.7 2.8 10.0 2.4 75.7 3.8 3.8 1.6

Non-Hispanic white ............... 2,633 100.0 16.1 2.1 8.2 1.6 69.0 3.2 2.6 0.9

Non-Hispanic black ............... 785 100.0 21.1 3.6 7.3 2.1 66.1 3.3 * *

Age at first sex:

14 years or under ................ 1,244 100.0 24.1 3.3 8.3 2.2 60.1 4.0 1.0 0.5

15–16 years .................... 2,108 100.0 14.0 2.3 11.2 2.1 68.9 3.1 2.7 1.0

17–19 years .................... 1,180 100.0 9.8 3.0 4.1 1.2 81.7 3.2 4.2 1.7

Family structure at age 14:

Both biological/adoptive parents........ 2,302 100.0 17.1 2.4 7.3 1.4 71.9 2.9 1.9 0.9

Other2 ....................... 2,231 100.0 14.2 1.8 9.8 1.9 67.7 2.7 3.3 0.9

Mother’s education:

No high school diploma or GED........ 851 100.0 12.2 2.7 11.5 3.3 65.6 4.6 3.3 1.4

High school diploma or GED.......... 1,381 100.0 15.4 2.6 7.9 2.2 69.5 3.6 4.3 1.7

Some college or higher ............. 2,296 100.0 17.1 2.5 7.8 1.6 71.5 3.0 1.4 0.5

Male

Total 2002 ...................... 4,551 100.0 32.8 2.5 14.6 2.0 51.7 2.4 0.9 0.3

Total 2006–20101 .................. 4,551 100.0 27.8 1.8 11.7 1.1 56.2 2.0 1.7 0.7

Male 2006–2010

Hispanic origin and race:

Hispanic or Latino ................ 931 100.0 32.5 3.5 11.3 2.1 49.2 3.7 5.3 2.3

Non-Hispanic white ............... 2,387 100.0 26.1 2.8 8.8 1.5 61.8 3.4 * *

Non-Hispanic black ............... 977 100.0 30.1 3.8 15.9 2.9 49.2 3.8 * *

Age at first sex:

14 years or under ................ 1,513 100.0 38.1 3.2 13.0 2.1 45.3 3.1 * *

15–16 years .................... 1,994 100.0 23.7 2.6 11.4 1.8 60.0 3.1 1.9 1.1

17–19 years .................... 1,044 100.0 20.5 3.4 10.5 3.0 64.8 4.8 * *

Family structure at age 14:

Both biological/adoptive parents........ 2,414 100.0 21.6 2.4 12.9 1.8 60.6 2.6 2.3 1.2

Other2 ....................... 2,137 100.0 34.7 2.7 10.5 1.7 51.3 2.7 1.1 0.6

Mother’s education:

No high school diploma or GED........ 678 100.0 35.2 4.7 7.6 2.0 51.3 5.1 4.3 2.6

High school diploma or GED.......... 1,969 100.0 31.5 3.3 11.0 2.1 53.1 3.3 * *

Some college or higher ............. 2,144 100.0 22.0 2.4 13.7 1.9 61.0 2.8 * *

* Figure does not meet standards of reliability or precision.
 

1

Includes persons of other or unknown origin and race groups and persons in ‘‘other’’ types of relationships, not shown separately.
 

2

Refers to anything other than two biological or adoptive parents, including single parent, stepparent, and no parents.
 

NOTES: Numbers and percentages reflect heterosexual vaginal sexual intercourse only, not other types of sexual activity. Percentages may not add to 100 due to rounding. GED is General
 

Educational Development high school equivalency diploma.
 

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Survey of Family Growth, 2002 and 2006–2010.
 
Series 23, No. 31 [ Page 17

Table 5. Number of male sexual partners in the prior 12 months for never-married females aged 15–19: United States, 2002 and 2006–2010

Never had sex

Had sex but not

in last 12 months 1

Number of partners in last 12 months

2–3 4 or more

Characteristic

Number in

thousands Total Percent

Standard

error Percent

Standard

error Percent

Standard

error Percent

Standard

error Percent

Standard

error

Percent distribution and standard error

Total 2002 ...................... 9,598 100.0 54.6 1.9 4.2 0.7 27.5 1.4 10.2 1.1 3.7 0.7

Total 2006–20101 .................. 10,361 100.0 57.4 1.7 3.6 0.5 24.8 1.4 10.6 0.9 3.7 0.6

Total 2006–2010

Hispanic origin and race:

Hispanic or Latina ................ 1,849 100.0 57.9 3.3 3.8 1.1 26.7 2.7 8.0 1.8 3.6 1.1

Non-Hispanic white ............... 6,150 100.0 58.1 2.4 3.5 0.7 23.3 1.9 11.7 1.4 3.4 0.7

Non-Hispanic black ............... 1,691 100.0 53.6 3.0 2.8 0.7 27.9 2.4 11.3 1.7 4.4 1.4

Age:

15–17 years .................... 5,820 100.0 73.0 1.8 2.4 0.5 15.0 1.3 6.1 0.8 3.5 0.8

18–19 years .................... 4,541 100.0 37.3 2.7 5.1 0.9 37.3 2.7 16.3 1.7 4.1 0.7

Living arrangement:

Both biological or adoptive parents ...... 4,688 100.0 70.2 2.1 3.4 0.6 16.0 1.7 8.1 1.1 2.3 0.6

Biological and step or adoptive parent .... 1,358 100.0 46.2 4.1 4.0 1.9 31.7 4.1 13.2 3.1 4.8 2.0

Single parent (biological, adoptive, or

stepparent).................... 2,876 100.0 52.4 2.5 3.7 1.1 28.8 2.3 9.6 1.6 5.5 1.4

Age at first sex:

Never had sex .................. 5,944 100.0 100.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Under 15 years .................. 1,173 100.0 . . . . . . 11.4 2.5 48.0 4.1 27.3 3.9 13.3 2.9

15–16 years .................... 2,069 100.0 . . . . . . 7.5 1.5 60.8 3.0 24.9 3.0 6.8 1.6

17–19 years ................... 1,175 100.0 . . . . . . 6.7 2.1 63.5 4.5 22.2 3.8 7.6 1.8

. . . Category not applicable.
 

1

Includes persons of other or unknown origin and race groups and those in living arrangements that did not include parents or parent-figures, not shown separately.
 

NOTE: Numbers and percentages reflect heterosexual vaginal sexual intercourse only, not other types of sexual activity.
 

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Survey of Family Growth, 2002 and 2006–2010.
 
Page 18 [ Series 23, No. 31

Table 6. Number of female sexual partners in the prior 12 months for never-married males aged 15–19: United States, 2002 and 2006–2010

Never had sex

Had sex but not

in last 12 months 1

Number of partners in last 12 months

2–3 4 or more

Characteristic

Number in

thousands Total Percent

Standard

error Percent

Standard

error Percent

Standard

error Percent

Standard

error Percent

Standard

error

Percent distribution and standard error

Total 2002 .................... 10,139 100.0 54.4 2.1 6.3 0.8 21.4 1.5 14.5 1.3 3.5 0.6

Total 2006–20101 ............... 10,766 100.0 58.2 1.6 4.4 0.5 20.8 1.2 12.0 1.0 4.5 0.5

Total 2006–2010

Hispanic origin and race:

Hispanic or Latino .............. 2,000 100.0 54.0 3.0 4.5 1.0 25.3 2.3 13.2 2.4 3.1 0.8

Non-Hispanic white ............. 6,405 100.0 63.3 2.2 3.2 0.6 18.5 1.7 10.6 1.3 4.3 0.7

Non-Hispanic black ............. 1,673 100.0 41.6 3.0 9.1 1.6 23.9 2.3 18.3 2.2 7.1 1.7

Age:

15–17 years ................. 6,623 100.0 72.0 1.8 3.0 0.5 14.7 1.4 7.3 0.8 3.0 0.6

18–19 years ................. 4,143 100.0 36.1 2.4 6.7 1.1 30.6 2.1 19.7 1.9 6.9 1.0

Living arrangement:

Both biological or adoptive parents . . . 5,282 100.0 70.7 2.2 3.8 0.7 16.1 1.6 6.9 1.1 2.5 0.6

Biological and step or adoptive parent . 1,540 100.0 53.2 3.6 4.6 1.3 23.8 3.3 12.1 2.4 6.3 1.8

Single parent (biological, adoptive, or

stepparent) ................. 2,828 100.0 49.6 2.7 5.2 0.9 24.9 2.4 16.0 1.9 4.3 1.1

Age at first sex:

Never had sex ................ 6,266 100.0 100.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Under 15 years ............... 1,482 . . . . . . . . . 12.5 2.2 37.0 3.2 31.9 3.5 18.5 2.7

15–16 years ................. 1,978 . . . . . . . . . 10.5 1.7 46.5 3.7 33.1 3.3 9.8 2.1

17–19 years ................. 1,041 . . . . . . . . . 8.2 2.3 74.1 3.5 16.2 3.0 1.5 0.8

. . . Category not applicable.
 

1

Includes persons of other or unknown origin and race groups and those in living arrangements that did not include parents or parent-figures, not shown separately.
 

NOTE: Numbers and percentages reflect heterosexual vaginal sexual intercourse only, not other types of sexual activity.
 

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Survey of Family Growth, 2002 and 2006–2010.
 

Table 7. Number of male sexual partners in lifetime among sexually experienced never-married females aged 15–19: United States, 1988,

1995, 2002, and 2006–2010

Number of partners

1 2 3–5 6 or more

Characteristic

Number in

thousands Total Percent

Standard

error Percent

Standard

error Percent

Standard

error Percent

Standard

error

Percent distribution and standard error

Total 1988.............................. 4,410 100.0 40.9 2.1 15.6 1.6 28.7 2.1 14.9 1.8

Total 1995.............................. 4,195 100.0 36.9 1.6 22.2 1.6 27.1 1.6 13.8 1.3

Total 2002.............................. 4,362 100.0 39.0 2.2 14.4 1.6 29.3 2.3 17.3 2.0

Total 2006–20101 ......................... 4,417 100.0 35.0 2.1 16.4 1.6 31.9 2.0 16.7 1.9

Total 2006–2010

Hispanic origin and race:

Hispanic or Latina ....................... 778 100.0 43.4 5.1 17.4 3.1 28.3 4.6 11.0 2.4

Non-Hispanic white....................... 2,577 100.0 32.3 2.9 17.8 2.3 32.7 2.8 17.2 2.6

Non-Hispanic black....................... 785 100.0 28.7 3.0 13.8 3.0 37.9 3.8 19.5 3.5

Age:

15–17 years ........................... 1,569 100.0 43.9 3.2 16.7 2.6 21.8 3.1 17.6 2.7

18–19 years ........................... 2,848 100.0 30.1 2.6 16.3 2.0 37.5 2.5 16.1 2.1

Mother’s education:

No high school diploma or GED ............... 811 100.0 32.5 4.1 17.5 3.2 31.5 4.9 18.5 3.6

High school diploma or GED ................. 1,329 100.0 30.3 3.5 17.8 3.2 33.1 3.6 18.8 3.4

Some college or higher .................... 2,274 100.0 38.7 2.9 15.3 2.1 31.4 3.0 14.6 2.2

Age at first sex:

Under 15 years ......................... 1,173 100.0 15.7 2.8 12.2 2.5 36.9 3.8 35.2 3.8

15–16 years ........................... 2,069 100.0 35.0 2.7 17.9 2.2 33.7 3.3 13.5 2.8

17–19 years ........................... 1,175 100.0 54.4 4.9 18.1 3.4 23.8 3.8 3.7 1.9

1

Includes persons of other or unknown origin and race groups and those who reported no mother-figure, not shown separately.
 

NOTES: Numbers and percentages reflect heterosexual vaginal sexual intercourse only, not other types of sexual activity. Percentages may not add to 100 due to rounding. GED is General
 

Educational Development high school equivalency diploma.
 

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Survey of Family Growth, 1988, 1995, 2002, and 2006–2010.
 
Series 23, No. 31 [ Page 19

Table 8. Number of female sexual partners in lifetime among sexually experienced never-married males aged 15–19: United States, 1988,

1995, 2002, and 2006–2010

Number of partners

1 2 3–5 6 or more

Characteristic

Number in

thousands Total Percent

Standard

error Percent

Standard

error Percent

Standard

error Percent

Standard

error

Percent distribution and standard error

Total 1988.............................. 5,379 100.0 27.7 2.1 16.9 1.9 28.6 2.2 26.7 1.8

Total 1995.............................. 4,989 100.0 26.9 1.8 18.1 1.7 30.8 2.4 24.3 1.9

Total 2002.............................. 4,629 100.0 34.0 2.7 14.8 2.1 30.6 2.8 20.5 1.8

Total 2006–20101 ......................... 4,501 100.0 30.2 2.1 14.8 1.5 32.6 1.9 22.4 1.5

Total 2006–2010

Hispanic origin and race:

Hispanic or Latino ....................... 920 100.0 25.9 3.5 17.7 2.9 31.2 3.6 25.3 3.5

Non-Hispanic white....................... 2,348 100.0 35.0 3.4 14.4 2.3 30.6 2.9 19.9 2.5

Non-Hispanic black....................... 977 100.0 22.5 3.6 13.9 2.7 38.2 3.9 25.5 3.0

Age:

15–17 years ........................... 1,854 100.0 38.1 3.3 18.4 2.6 28.6 2.9 14.9 2.0

18–19 years ........................... 2,647 100.0 24.6 2.6 12.3 1.7 35.4 2.5 27.7 2.1

Mother’s education:

No high school diploma or GED ............... 677 100.0 21.7 3.7 16.1 3.5 35.0 4.5 27.2 4.7

High school diploma or GED ................. 1,673 100.0 27.0 3.1 13.4 2.3 33.3 3.0 26.3 3.0

Some college or higher .................... 2,119 100.0 35.7 3.4 15.8 2.2 31.5 2.9 17.0 2.1

Age at first sex:

Under 15 years ......................... 1,482 100.0 13.5 2.7 10.3 2.1 35.6 3.0 40.6 2.6

15–16 years ........................... 1,978 100.0 26.0 3.5 15.6 2.4 39.2 3.0 19.2 2.7

17–19 years ........................... 1,041 100.0 61.8 3.8 19.7 3.4 15.9 2.4 2.6 1.0

1

Includes persons of other or unknown origin and race groups and those who reported no mother-figure, not shown separately.
 

NOTES: Numbers and percentages reflect heterosexual vaginal sexual intercourse only, not other types of sexual activity. Percentages may not add to 100 due to rounding. GED is General
 

Educational Development high school equivalency diploma.
 

SOURCES: CDC/NCHS, National Survey of Family Growth, 2002 and 2006–2010 and Urban Institute, National Survey of Adolescent Males (1988 and 1995).
 
Page 20 [ Series 23, No. 31

Table 9. Feelings about first sex for females and males aged 18–24 at interview who had first sex before age 20: United States, 2006–2010

How much first sex was wanted1

I had mixed feelings—

part of me wanted

I really didn’t want it to happen at the I really wanted

it to happen at time and part of it to happen

the time me didn’t at the time

Number in Standard Standard Standard

Characteristic thousands Total Percent error Percent error Percent error

Female Percent distribution and standard error

Total2 ......................... 10,784 100.0 10.8 0.9 48.0 1.8 41.2 1.6

Hispanic origin and race:

Hispanic or Latina ................ 1,780 100.0 13.5 2.3 44.3 2.6 42.2 2.6

Non-Hispanic white ............... 6,460 100.0 8.9 1.1 47.4 2.4 43.7 2.3

Non-Hispanic black ............... 1,879 100.0 13.6 2.2 55.5 3.0 30.9 3.1

Age at first sex:

14 years or under ................ 1,922 100.0 18.4 2.6 51.6 3.8 30.1 2.9

15–17 years .................... 6,280 100.0 9.4 1.0 50.3 2.1 40.3 1.9

18–19 years .................... 2,583 100.0 8.9 1.7 39.5 3.1 51.7 3.1

Age of male partner:

Younger ...................... 577 100.0 10.0 3.7 37.9 6.4 52.1 6.3

Same age ..................... 2,281 100.0 10.7 1.9 45.2 3.7 44.1 3.4

1–2 years older.................. 4,702 100.0 6.9 1.1 49.2 2.6 44.0 2.4

3 or more years older .............. 3,225 100.0 17.0 1.8 50.0 2.8 33.0 2.4

Male

Total2 ......................... 10,451 100.0 5.0 0.7 32.5 1.7 62.5 1.9

Hispanic origin and race:

Hispanic or Latino ................ 2,154 100.0 7.3 1.9 33.2 3.7 59.5 3.4

Non-Hispanic white ............... 6,157 100.0 3.2 0.7 29.8 2.2 67.0 2.3

Non-Hispanic black ............... 1,748 100.0 9.0 2.6 39.5 3.2 51.5 3.6

Age at first sex:

14 years or under ................ 2,453 100.0 8.9 2.0 34.3 2.7 56.8 2.9

15–17 years .................... 5,660 100.0 3.7 0.8 30.7 2.3 65.7 2.5

18–19 years .................... 2,338 100.0 4.0 1.3 35.2 4.1 60.8 4.1

Age of female partner:

3 or more years younger ............ 1,359 100.0 8.6 2.8 24.8 3.8 66.6 4.6

1 to 2 years younger .............. 2,617 100.0 4.0 1.1 33.7 3.9 62.3 3.9

Same age ..................... 4,513 100.0 4.7 1.0 35.2 2.9 60.1 3.1

Older ........................ 1,962 100.0 4.5 1.4 30.1 3.7 65.4 3.5

1

Based on a response to a question in the self-administered portion of the questionnaire asking which of the three reponses comes closest to describing how much he/she wanted the first intercourse
 

to happen.
 

2

Includes persons of other or unknown origin and race groups, not shown separately.
 

NOTE: Numbers and percentages reflect heterosexual vaginal sexual intercourse only, not other types of sexual activity.
 

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Survey of Family Growth, 2006–2010.
 
Series 23, No. 31 [ Page 21

Table 10. Ever use of contraception among sexually experienced females aged 15–19, by method of contraception: United States, 1995,

2002, and 2006–2010

Method 1995 2002 2006–2010

Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Percent

4,552

Standard

error

Number in thousands

4,598

Percent who ever used

Percent

Standard

error Percent

4,532

Standard

error

Any method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Pill. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Injectable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Emergency contraception.......................

Contraceptive patch ..........................

Contraceptive ring ...........................

Condom .................................

Female condom ............................

Periodic abstinence—calendar ...................

Withdrawal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Other methods .............................

96.2

51.6

9.7

*

...

...

93.5

1.1

13.2

42.3

14.5

0.9

1.9

1.1

*

...

...

1.1

0.4

1.3

2.0

1.4

97.7

61.4

20.7

8.1

1.5

...

93.7

1.7

10.8

55.0

9.9

0.5

2.8

2.6

1.7

1.1

...

1.0

0.8

1.7

2.3

1.6

98.9

55.6

20.3

13.7

10.3

5.2

95.9

1.5

15.0

57.3

7.1

0.5

2.4

1.5

1.3

1.3

1.0

0.9

0.4

1.3

2.3

0.9

* Figure does not meet standards of reliability or precision.
 

. . . Category not applicable.
 

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Survey of Family Growth, 1995, 2002, and 2006–2010.
 
st sex among females and males aged 15–19, by method used: United States, 1988, 2002, and 2006–2010

Dual methods

Number in Any Standard No Standard Pill Standard Other Standard Condom Standard All other Standard (hormonal Standard

thousands method error method error (at all) error hormonal1 error (at all) error methods2 error and condom) error

.... 4,410 66.9 1.1 33.1 1.1 8.0 1.1 . . . . . . 50.4 2.5 10.0 1.2 1.8 0.6

.... 4,598 74.5 2.0 25.5 2.0 16.5 1.9 2.1 0.7 66.4 2.0 2.6 0.8 13.1 1.9

.... 4,532 78.3 1.9 21.7 1.9 15.7 1.6 6.1 1.1 68.0 2.0 3.4 0.8 14.8 1.5

.... 833 74.0 3.9 26.0 3.9 7.2 2.4 5.8 2.3 65.4 3.5 1.3 0.7 5.7 1.7

.... 2,633 82.3 2.3 17.7 2.3 21.8 2.5 6.3 1.7 70.7 2.6 4.3 1.3 20.8 2.3

.... 785 71.1 4.6 28.9 4.6 8.9 2.4 6.6 2.1 64.1 4.6 * * 9.5 2.8

.... 1,244 59.1 4.0 40.9 4.0 7.1 1.6 2.4 1.7 53.5 4.2 2.3 1.2 6.3 1.5

.... 2,108 83.1 2.5 16.9 2.5 16.7 2.6 9.0 2.1 69.6 2.7 3.6 1.3 15.8 2.2

.... 1,180 90.1 2.4 9.9 2.4 22.8 3.8 4.7 1.6 80.5 3.2 4.2 1.6 22.0 3.7

le

.... 1,252 82.9 2.8 17.1 2.8 17.3 3.4 7.6 2.5 71.8 3.4 1.0 0.5 14.7 3.1

.... 1,222 78.7 3.6 21.3 3.6 14.4 3.0 6.5 2.1 71.0 4.0 4.5 1.7 17.6 3.0

.... 1,326 81.7 3.0 18.3 3.0 16.6 2.8 5.3 1.6 68.3 3.4 5.6 2.0 14.0 2.6

.... 732 63.7 5.5 36.3 5.5 13.4 4.6 4.2 1.3 56.3 5.8 1.7 0.9 11.7 4.6

.... 5,379 71.4 2.0 28.6 2.0 9.5 1.4 . . . . . . 55.0 2.0 10.6 1.5 2.6 0.7

.... 4,989 75.7 2.0 24.3 2.0 10.3 1.4 0.4 0.2 69.3 2.2 4.4 0.9 6.8 1.1

.... 4,697 82.0 2.2 18.0 2.2 14.9 1.9 2.1 0.7 70.9 2.4 4.7 1.2 10.4 1.4

.... 4,551 85.4 1.6 14.6 1.6 17.9 2.0 1.4 0.6 79.6 2.0 2.7 0.7 16.2 1.8

.... 931 84.1 3.1 15.9 3.1 9.1 2.8 * * 78.5 3.2 4.5 1.4 8.3 2.8

.... 2,387 88.5 2.1 11.5 2.1 24.8 3.1 2.4 1.1 80.9 2.9 2.6 1.3 22.3 2.7

.... 977 81.7 3.1 18.3 3.1 11.7 2.5 * * 79.6 3.3 * * 11.1 2.6

.... 1,513 74.9 3.1 25.1 3.1 8.0 1.8 * * 71.0 3.4 3.3 1.5 9.0 1.9

.... 1,994 89.3 1.9 10.7 1.9 19.8 2.8 1.8 1.1 82.2 2.7 3.5 1.2 18.0 2.8

.... 1,044 93.3 2.6 6.7 2.6 28.7 5.0 * * 86.9 3.8 * * 23.2 4.9

le

.... 723 88.3 3.1 11.7 3.1 14.5 4.6 * * 79.6 3.8 5.0 2.1 15.1 4.4

.... 2,034 89.4 1.9 10.6 1.9 16.1 2.7 1.3 0.7 85.2 2.4 1.9 1.1 15.1 2.7

.... 1,011 83.2 3.5 16.8 3.5 22.4 4.3 * * 78.5 4.0 * * 19.1 3.6

.... 783 75.4 4.6 24.6 4.6 20.1 4.2 – – 66.4 5.1 5.1 2.7 16.2 3.9

Page 22[ Series 23, No. 31

ecision.

ion, and contraceptive patch in 2002; adds contraceptive ring (Nuva-Ring) and Implanon implant in 2006–2010.

f other method was combined with condom or hormonal method, it is not counted. Other methods include withdrawal, sterilization, IUD, female condom, diaphragm, cervical cap, spermicidal foam, jelly,

thod, and ‘‘other’’ methods.

ace groups.

and other hormonal reflect use of that method regardless of whether it was used alone or in combination with another method. Statistics not available for females in 1995 because of differences in the

y Growth (females, 1988, 2002, and 2006–2010 and males, 2002 and 2006–2010) and Urban Institute, National Survey of Adolescent Males (males, 1988 and 1995).
st sex in the prior 3 months among never-married females and males aged 15–19, by method used: United States, 1988, 1995, 2002, and

Dual methods

Number in Any Standard No Standard Pill Standard Other Standard Condom Standard All other Standard (hormonal Standard

thousands method error method error (at all) error hormonal1 error (at all) error methods2 error and condom) error

.... 3,521 79.9 2.3 20.1 2.3 42.7 2.5 . . . . . . 31.3 2.4 9.3 1.3 3.3 0.8

.... 3,225 70.7 2.4 29.3 2.4 25.0 1.9 7.0 1.2 38.2 2.2 9.6 1.5 8.4 1.3

.... 3,304 83.2 2.2 16.8 2.2 34.2 3.0 9.1 1.8 54.3 3.0 5.1 1.2 19.5 2.5

.... 3,175 85.6 1.9 14.4 1.9 30.5 2.3 12.2 1.7 52.0 2.8 11.0 1.8 20.1 2.2

.... 539 79.5 5.0 20.5 5.0 17.2 3.9 18.0 4.3 47.7 6.1 10.6 3.6 14.0 4.9

.... 1,873 89.3 2.2 10.7 2.2 38.6 3.5 10.5 2.1 52.4 3.7 12.3 2.6 24.4 3.2

.... 564 81.1 3.9 18.9 3.9 14.4 3.4 16.2 3.6 57.6 5.4 5.7 1.8 12.8 3.3

.... 835 73.0 4.7 27.0 4.7 18.0 3.3 11.6 2.6 38.3 4.5 16.7 4.5 11.7 2.3

.... 1,528 88.7 2.5 11.3 2.5 33.5 3.4 12.9 2.3 50.1 3.9 10.9 2.6 18.7 2.5

.... 812 92.8 2.6 7.2 2.6 37.9 5.2 11.3 3.4 69.6 5.0 5.5 2.2 31.4 5.4

.... 3,847 84.2 2.3 15.8 2.3 37.4 2.4 . . . . . . 53.3 2.8 13.6 2.1 15.2 1.6

.... 3,416 81.8 2.5 18.2 2.5 28.2 3.1 2.8 0.6 63.9 2.8 10.0 1.7 16.5 2.3

.... 3,165 90.7 2.4 9.3 2.4 31.0 2.8 6.3 1.5 70.7 3.0 2.0 4.2 23.9 2.4

.... 2,970 92.5 1.3 7.5 1.3 39.0 2.6 9.3 1.6 74.7 2.2 3.4 0.7 33.9 2.8

.... 593 86.2 3.1 13.8 3.1 29.4 4.5 6.8 2.9 65.5 4.2 4.3 2.1 19.6 4.0

.... 1,567 96.8 1.2 3.2 1.2 49.6 4.0 11.0 2.6 76.8 3.6 2.9 1.1 43.4 4.3

.... 638 91.6 2.7 8.4 2.7 25.6 3.8 9.8 3.2 79.0 4.0 4.1 1.2 26.9 4.1

.... 1,009 85.3 2.8 14.7 2.8 31.1 3.6 11.1 3.0 68.0 3.2 5.0 1.5 29.7 3.7

.... 1,363 95.3 1.4 4.7 1.4 41.3 3.9 10.1 2.6 74.4 3.5 3.6 1.2 34.2 4.0.... 598 98.1 1.2 * * 47.2 6.5 4.5 2.3 86.3 4.2 * * 40.2 6.6

ecision.

plants in 1995; adds Lunelle injectable, emergency contraception, and contraceptive patch in 2002; adds contraceptive ring (Nuva-Ring) and Implanon implant in 2006–2010.

f other method was combined with condom or hormonal method, it is not counted. Other methods include withdrawal, sterilization, IUD, female condom, diaphragm, cervical cap, spermicidal foam, jelly,

thod, and ‘‘other’’ methods.

ace groups.

d other hormonal reflect use of that method regardless of whether it was used alone or in combination with another method.

y Growth (females, 1988, 2002, and 2006–2010 and males, 2002 and 2006–2010) and Urban Institute, National Survey of Adolescent Males (males, 1988 and 1995).

Series 23, No. 31[ Page 23
Page 24 [ Series 23, No. 31

Table 13. Consistency of condom use in the 4 weeks prior to the interview among never-married females and males aged 15–19:

United States, 2002 and 2006–2010

Percent of times a condom was used

0 Some 100

Number in Standard Standard Standard

Characteristic thousands Total Percent error Percent error Percent error

Female Percent distribution and standard error

Total 2002 ................................ 2,552 100.0 42.8 3.7 15.7 2.5 41.4 3.6

Total 2006–20101 ........................... 2,646 100.0 39.2 2.6 11.9 1.8 49.0 3.1

Hispanic origin and race:

Hispanic or Latina .......................... 437 100.0 42.9 6.1 13.8 4.2 43.3 6.3

Non-Hispanic white ......................... 1,555 100.0 41.0 4.0 10.2 2.2 48.7 4.3

Non-Hispanic black ......................... 483 100.0 31.9 5.2 16.8 4.0 51.2 5.3

Number of partners in the past 12 months:

1 partner ............................... 1,542 100.0 44.9 3.4 7.0 1.2 48.1 3.4

2 or more partners ......................... 1,085 100.0 31.1 4.3 18.7 3.8 50.2 5.4

Male

Total 2002 ................................ 2,525 100.0 26.5 2.8 5.3 2.2 68.2 3.5

Total 2006–20101 ........................... 2,312 100.0 22.7 2.4 10.8 1.9 66.5 2.6

Hispanic origin and race:

Hispanic or Latino .......................... 432 100.0 30.9 5.1 11.4 2.6 57.6 5.1

Non-Hispanic white ......................... 1,247 100.0 21.0 3.7 12.3 3.1 66.7 4.3

Non-Hispanic black ......................... 490 100.0 15.8 4.2 9.1 2.6 75.1 4.4

Number of partners in the past 12 months:

1 partner ............................... 976 100.0 22.1 3.1 11.2 2.8 66.7 3.7

2 or more partners ......................... 1,336 100.0 23.1 3.6 10.5 2.3 66.4 3.4

1

Includes persons of other or unknown origin and race groups, not shown separately.
 

NOTE: Numbers and percentages reflect heterosexual vaginal sexual intercourse only, not other types of sexual activity. Percentages may not add to 100 due to rounding.
 

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Survey of Family Growth, 2002 and 2006–2010.
 
Series 23, No. 31 [ Page 25

Table 14. Probability of a first birth by age 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 for females aged 15–24: United States, 2002 and 2006–2010

Probability of a first birth by age:

Characteristic 15 16 17 18 19 20

Total 2002 ................................ 0.01 0.02 0.04 0.09 0.13 0.18

Total 2006–20101 ........................... 0.00 0.01 0.04 0.08 0.13 0.18

2006–2010

Hispanic origin and race:

Hispanic or Latina .......................... 0.01 0.03 0.09 0.16 0.23 0.30

Non-Hispanic white ......................... 0.00 0.01 0.03 0.05 0.09 0.14

Non-Hispanic black ......................... 0.00 0.01 0.04 0.10 0.17 0.26

Contraceptive use at first sex:

Used contraception at first sex .................. 0.00 0.01 0.03 0.09 0.13 0.20

Used more than one method at first sex ............ 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.02 0.06 0.07

Did not use contraception at first sex .............. 0.02 0.05 0.12 0.18 0.32 0.37

Mother’s age at first birth:

Under 20 years ........................... 0.01 0.02 0.07 0.14 0.22 0.29

20 years or over ........................... 0.00 0.01 0.02 0.05 0.09 0.14

Mother’s education:

No high school diploma or GED ................. 0.01 0.04 0.11 0.18 0.28 0.37

High school diploma or GED ................... 0.00 0.01 0.04 0.09 0.14 0.19

Some college or higher ...................... 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.04 0.07 0.12

Family structure at age 14:

Both biological or adoptive parents ............... 0.00 0.01 0.02 0.04 0.07 0.11

Biological mom and step father. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.01 0.02 0.06 0.14 0.23 0.30

Other2 ................................. 0.01 0.02 0.06 0.13 0.23 0.29

0.0 Quantity more than zero but less than 0.01.
 

1

Includes persons of other or unknown origin and race groups, those with a mother-figure who had no births, and those who reported no mother-figure, not shown separately.
 

2

Refers to anything other than two biological or adoptive parents or biological mother and stepfather, including one biological parent and no other parents(s)/parent-figures or no parent(s)/parentfigures.
 

NOTE: GED is General Educational Development high school equivalency diploma.
 

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Survey of Family Growth, 2002 and 2006–2010.
Page 26 [ Series 23, No. 31

Table 15. Main reason for never having had sex for females and males aged 15–19: United States, 2002 and 2006–2010

Year of interview Hispanic origin and race 2006–20101

Non-Hispanic Non-Hispanic

Gender and reason 2002 2006–2010 Hispanic white black

Female Number in thousands1

Total ............................... 5,236 . . . 5,946 . . . 1,071 . . . 3,575 . . . 906 . . .

Percent distribution (standard error)

Total ............................... 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

Reason didn’t have sex:

Against religion or morals ................ 37.8 (2.5) 41.0 (2.8) 28.2 (3.0) 48.3 (3.4) 28.7 (4.3)

Don’t want to get pregnant................ 18.7 (1.8) 17.6 (1.7) 22.4 (2.9) 13.6 (2.0) 21.5 (4.4)

Don’t want to get a sexually transmitted disease . . 7.4 (1.0) 7.6 (1.0) 10.1 (2.1) 5.5 (1.4) 13.9 (2.4)

Haven’t found the right person yet ........... 17.2 (1.8) 18.7 (1.7)) 20.6 (2.7) 20.2 (2.6) 15.4 (3.2)

In a relationship, but waiting for the right time .... 6.6 (1.3) 5.6 (0.9) 8.1 (1.7) 4.7 (1.1) 7.4 (2.3)

Other reason ........................ 12.4 (1.9) 9.5 (1.2) 10.7 (2.0) 7.6 (1.4) 13.2 (3.6)

Male Number in thousands1

Total ............................... 5,511 . . . 6,266 . . . 1,079 . . . 4,057 . . . 696 . . .

Percent distribution (standard error)

Total ............................... 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

Reason didn’t have sex:

Against religion or morals ................ 31.4 (2.2) 31.0 (2.1) 27.2 (3.0) 33.3 (3.0) 20.9 (4.3)

Don’t want to get (a female) pregnant ......... 25.2 (2.3) 12.6 (1.2) 16.8 (1.9) 11.1 (1.7) 13.6 (3.3)

Don’t want to get a sexually transmitted disease . . 9.9 (1.4) 6.3 (1.0) 7.0 (2.0) 4.7 (1.2) 16.3 (3.6)

Haven’t found the right person yet ........... 20.8 (2.0) 29.4 (1.7) 31.8 (3.6) 29.0 (2.3) 25.9 (4.2)

In a relationship, but waiting for the right time .... 4.8 (1.2) 10.8 (1.4) 7.5 (2.2) 12.0 (1.8) 12.7 (3.9)

Other reason ........................ 7.9 (1.3) 9.9 (1.2) 9.7 (2.6) 9.8 (1.5) 10.6 (2.6)

. . . Category not applicable.
 

1

Includes persons of other or unknown origin and race groups, not shown separately.
 

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Survey of Family Growth, 2002 and 2006–2010.
 
Series 23, No. 31 [ Page 27

Table 16. Responses to the statement ‘‘If you got pregnant now/got a female pregnant now, how would you feel?’’ for never-married females

and males aged 15–19: United States, 2002 and 2006–2010

Very upset A little upset A little pleased Very pleased

Number in Standard Standard Standard Standard

Characteristic thousands Total Percent error Percent error Percent error Percent error

Female Percent distribution and standard error

Total 2002.............................. 9,598 100.0 60.2 1.8 26.7 1.6 8.0 0.9 4.7 0.8

Total 2006–20101 ......................... 10,361 100.0 57.5 1.5 29.1 1.3 8.2 0.8 4.8 0.7

Female 2006–2010

Hispanic origin and race:

Hispanic or Latina ....................... 1,849 100.0 47.7 3.0 32.5 3.0 13.2 2.5 6.0 1.3

Non-Hispanic white....................... 6,150 100.0 63.1 2.0 28.2 1.9 5.4 1.0 3.2 0.8

Non-Hispanic black....................... 1,691 100.0 48.9 3.0 30.6 2.4 9.9 1.6 9.5 1.7

Age:

15–17 years ........................... 5,820 100.0 63.3 1.9 28.6 1.6 5.7 1.0 2.2 0.5

18–19 years ........................... 4,541 100.0 50.0 2.3 29.7 2.1 11.5 1.1 8.3 1.4

Ever had sex:

Yes ................................ 4,417 100.0 44.2 2.1 33.9 1.9 12.7 1.4 8.6 1.4

No ................................. 5,944 100.0 67.3 2.0 25.5 1.8 4.9 0.9 2.1 0.6

Family structure at age 14:

Both biological or adoptive parents ............. 6,317 100.0 63.7 2.0 25.2 1.8 7.1 1.0 3.8 0.8

Other2............................... 4,044 100.0 47.7 2.1 35.2 1.8 10.1 1.3 6.6 1.1

Male

Total 2002.............................. 10,139 100.0 51.4 2.0 33.4 1.8 11.0 1.4 3.7 0.6

Total 2006–20101 ......................... 10,766 100.0 46.4 1.8 34.0 1.5 14.3 1.2 4.3 0.5

Male 2006–2010

Hispanic origin and race:

Hispanic or Latino ....................... 2,000 100.0 26.6 2.9 37.8 2.6 23.3 3.2 11.7 2.2

Non-Hispanic white....................... 6,405 100.0 56.0 2.1 32.1 2.0 9.7 1.2 1.5 0.5

Non-Hispanic black....................... 1,673 100.0 29.9 3.3 40.0 3.3 22.4 2.4 6.5 1.3

Age:

15–17 years ........................... 6,623 100.0 53.1 2.2 32.3 2.0 11.1 1.4 2.8 0.5

18–19 years ........................... 4,143 100.0 35.8 2.4 36.9 2.0 19.2 1.9 6.8 1.1

Ever had sex:

Yes ................................ 4,501 100.0 32.8 2.0 37.5 1.8 21.1 2.2 6.9 1.0

No ................................. 6,266 100.0 56.2 2.2 31.5 2.1 9.3 1.1 2.5 0.6

Family structure at age 14:

Both biological or adoptive parents ............. 6,737 100.0 52.0 2.1 32.5 1.6 11.5 1.3 3.3 0.6

Other2............................... 4,029 100.0 37.1 2.0 36.7 2.3 18.9 1.8 6.0 0.8

1

Includes persons of other or unknown origin and race groups, not shown separately.
 

2

Refers to anything other than two biological or adoptive parents or biological mother and stepfather, including one biological parent and no other parents(s)/parent-figures or no parent(s)/parentfigures.
 

NOTE: Percentages may not add to 100 because responses of ‘‘would not care’’ (coded only if respondent insisted) are not shown separately.
 

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Survey of Family Growth, 2002 and 2006–2010.
 
Page 28 [ Series 23, No. 31

Appendix. Data by Hispanic Origin and Race Using the 1997 Guidelines

From the Office of Management and Budget

Table I. Never-married females and males aged 15–19 who have ever had sexual intercourse: United States, 2006–2010

Number in Standard

Characteristic thousands Percent error

Female

Total1 ...................................................... 10,361 42.6 1.7

Hispanic origin and race:

Hispanic or Latina ............................................. 1,849 42.1 3.3

Not Hispanic or Latina:

White, single race. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,979 41.7 2.3

Black or African American, single race ............................... 1,566 45.1 2.9

Male

Total1 ...................................................... 10,766 41.8 1.6

Hispanic origin and race:

Hispanic or Latino ............................................. 2,000 46.0 3.0

Not Hispanic or Latino:

White, single race. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,187 37.19 2.2

Black or African American, single race ............................... 1,582 59.38 3.1

1

Includes persons of other or multiple origin and race groups, not shown separately.
 

NOTE: Numbers and percentages reflect heterosexual vaginal sexual intercourse only, not other types of sexual activity.
 

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Survey of Family Growth, 2006–2010.
 

Table II. Never-married females aged 15–19 who have ever had sex in the past 12 months, in the past 3 months, and in the past month:

United States, 2006–2010

Ever had sex

Had sex in

last 12 months

Had sex in last

3 months Had sex last month

Characteristic

Number in

thousands Percent

Standard

error Percent

Standard

error Percent

Standard

error Percent

Standard

error

Total1

................................. 10,361 42.6 1.7 39.1 1.7 30.6 1.5 25.5 1.3 
 

Hispanic origin and race

Hispanic or Latina ......................... 1,849 42.1 3.3 38.3 3.7 29.1 3.3 23.6 2.9

Not Hispanic or Latina:

White, single race ....................... 5,979 41.7 2.3 38.3 2.2 30.6 2.0 25.4 1.8

Black or African American, single race ........... 1,566 45.2 2.9 42.2 2.9 31.9 2.8 27.3 2.8

1

Includes persons of other or multiple origin and race groups, not shown separately.
 

NOTE: Numbers and percentages reflect heterosexual vaginal sexual intercourse only, not other types of sexual activity.
 

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Survey of Family Growth, 2006–2010.
 

Table III. Never-married males aged 15–19 who have ever had sex in the past 12 months, in the past 3 months, and in the past month:

United States, 2006–2010

Ever had sex

Had sex in

last 12 months

Had sex in last

3 months Had sex last month

Characteristic

Number in

thousands Percent

Standard

error Percent

Standard

error Percent

Standard

error Percent

Standard

error

Total1

................................. 10,766 41.8 1.6 37.4 1.5 27.6 1.5 21.5 1.2 
 

Hispanic origin and race

Hispanic or Latino ......................... 2,000 46.0 3.0 41.5 2.7 29.7 2.5 22.1 2.4

Not Hispanic or Latino:

White, single race ....................... 6,187 37.2 2.2 34.0 2.2 24.8 2.2 19.8 1.6

Black or African American, single race ........... 1,582 59.4 3.1 50.0 2.8 38.4 2.5 29.8 2.4

1

Includes persons of other or multiple origin and race groups, not shown separately.
 

NOTE: Numbers and percentages reflect heterosexual vaginal sexual intercourse only, not other types of sexual activity.
 

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Survey of Family Growth, 2006–2010.
 
Series 23, No. 31 [ Page 29

Table IV. Relationship with partner at first sex for females and males aged 15–19: United States, 2006–2010

Going out Cohabiting,

Number in Just met Standard once in Standard Going Standard engaged, or Standard

Characteristic thousands Total or just friends error a while error steady error married error

Female Percent distribution

Total1

................................. 4,531 100.0 15.7 1.6 8.6 1.2 69.8 2.1 2.6 0.6
 

Hispanic origin and race:

Hispanic or Latina ....................... 833 100.0 8.7 2.8 10.0 2.4 75.7 3.8 3.8 1.6

Not Hispanic or Latina:

White, single race . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,547 100.0 15.9 2.2 8.3 1.7 69.3 3.2 2.6 0.9
 

Black or African American, single race ......... 707 100.0 20.7 3.4 5.6 1.6 68.5 3.3 1.6 1.3
 

Male

Total1

................................. 4,551 100.0 27.8 1.8 11.7 1.1 56.2 2 1.7 0.7

Hispanic origin and race:

Hispanic or Latino ....................... 931 100.0 32.5 3.5 11.3 2.1 49.2 3.7 5.3 2.3

Not Hispanic or Latino:

White, single race . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,340 100.0 26.2 2.9 8.9 1.6 61.5 3.4 * *
 

Black or African American, single race ......... 939 100.0 30.1 3.8 16.0 3.1 49.1 3.8 * *
 

1

Includes persons of other or multiple origin and race groups, not shown separately.
 

NOTE: Numbers and percentages reflect heterosexual vaginal sexual intercourse only, not other types of sexual activity.
 

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Survey of Family Growth, 2006–2010.
 

Table V. Number of male sexual partners in the prior 12 months among never-married females aged 15–19: United States, 2006–2010

Never had sex

Had sex but not

in last 12 months 1

Number of partners in last 12 months

2–3 4 or more

Characteristic

Number in

thousands Total Percent

Standard

error Percent

Standard

error Percent

Standard

error Percent

Standard

error Percent

Standard

error

Total1 ................... 10,361 100.0 57.4 1.7 3.6 0.5 24.8 1.4 10.6 0.9 3.7 0.6
 

Hispanic origin and race

Hispanic or Latina ........... 1,849 100.0 57.9 3.3 3.8 1.1 26.7 2.6 8.0 1.8 3.6 1.1
 

Not Hispanic or Latina:

White, single race. . . . . . . . . . 5,979 100.0 58.3 2.3 3.4 0.67 23.2 1.9 11.6 1.4 3.4 0.7

Black or African American, single

race ................. 1,566 100.0 54.8 2.9 2.9 0.75 28.3 2.4 10.6 1.8 3.2 1.2
 

1

Includes persons of other or multiple origin and race groups, not shown separately.
 

NOTE: Numbers and percentages reflect heterosexual vaginal sexual intercourse only, not other types of sexual activity.
 

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Survey of Family Growth, 2006–2010.
 

Table VI. Number of female sexual partners in the prior 12 months among never-married males aged 15–19: United States, 2006–2010

Never had sex

Had sex but not

in last 12 months 1

Number of partners in last 12 months

2–3 4 or more

Characteristic

Number in

thousands Total Percent

Standard

error Percent

Standard

error Percent

Standard

error Percent

Standard

error Percent

Standard

error

Total1 ................... 10,766 100.0 58.2 1.6 4.4 0.5 20.8 1.2 12.0 1.0 4.5 0.5
 

Hispanic origin and race

Hispanic or Latino ........... 2,000 100.0 54.0 3.0 4.5 0.97 25.3 2.3 13.1 2.4 3.1 0.8
 

Not Hispanic or Latino:

White, single race. . . . . . . . . . 6,187 100.0 62.8 2.2 3.2 0.66 18.6 1.7 11.0 1.3 4.4 0.7

Black or African American, single

race ................. 1,582 100.0 40.6 3.1 9.4 1.7 24.5 2.3 18.0 2.2 7.5 1.8
 

1

Includes persons of other or multiple origin and race groups, not shown separately.
 

NOTE: Numbers and percentages reflect heterosexual vaginal sexual intercourse only, not other types of sexual activity.
 

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Survey of Family Growth, 2006–2010.
 
Page 30 [ Series 23, No. 31

Table VII. Number of male sexual partners in lifetime among sexually experienced never-married females aged 15–19: United States,

2006–2010

Number of partners in lifetime

1 2 3–5 6 or more

Characteristic

Number in

thousands Total Percent

Standard

error Percent

Standard

error Percent

Standard

error Percent

Standard

error

Total1 ......................... 4,417 100.0 35.0 2.1 16.4 1.6 31.9 2.0 16.7 1.9
 

Hispanic origin and race

Hispanic or Latina.................. 778 100.0 43.4 5.1 17.4 3.1 28.3 4.6 11.0 2.4

Not Hispanic or Latina:

White, single race ................ 2,494 100.0 32.3 3.0 18.3 2.4 32.8 2.9 16.6 2.6

Black or African American, single race.... 707 100.0 29.0 3.1 13.9 3.1 39.6 4.2 17.5 3.7

1

Includes persons of other or multiple origin and race groups, not shown separately.
 

NOTE: Numbers and percentages reflect heterosexual vaginal sexual intercourse only, not other types of sexual activity.
 

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Survey of Family Growth, 2006–2010.
 

Table VIII. Number of female sexual partners in lifetime among sexually experienced never-married males aged 15–19: United States,

2006–2010

Number of partners in lifetime

1 2 3–5 6 or more

Characteristic

Number in

thousands Total Percent

Standard

error Percent

Standard

error Percent

Standard

error Percent

Standard

error

Total1

................................. 4,501 100.0 30.2 2.1 14.8 1.5 32.6 1.9 22.4 1.5
 

Hispanic origin and race

Hispanic or Latino ......................... 920 100.0 25.9 3.5 17.7 2.9 31.2 3.6 25.3 3.5

Not Hispanic or Latino:

White, single race ....................... 2,301 100.0 34.4 3.5 14.6 2.3 30.9 2.9 20.1 2.5

Black or African American, single race ........... 939 100.0 22.7 3.6 13.4 2.8 37.7 4.0 26.3 3.0

1

Includes persons of other or multiple origin and race groups, not shown separately.
 

NOTE: Numbers and percentages reflect heterosexual vaginal sexual intercourse only, not other types of sexual activity.
 

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Survey of Family Growth, 2006–2010.
 
Series 23, No. 31 [ Page 31

Table IX. Feelings about first sex for females and males aged 18–24 at interview who had first sex before age 20: United States, 2006–2010

How much first sex was wanted1

I really didn’t want

it to happen

at the time

I had mixed feelings—

part of me wanted it

to happen at the time

and part of me didn’t

I really wanted

it to happen at

the time

Characteristic

Number in

thousands Total Percent

Standard

error Percent

Standard

error Percent

Standard

error

Female

Total2

................................. 10,784 100.0 10.8 0.9 48.0 1.8 41.2 1.6

Hispanic origin and race:

Hispanic or Latina .......................

Not Hispanic or Latina:

White, single race ......................

Black or African American, single race .........

1,780

6,171

1,723

100.0

100.0

100.0

13.5

8.2

14.2

2.3

1.0

2.3

44.3

48.0

56.8

2.6

2.4

3.0

42.2

43.8

29.0

2.6

2.3

2.86

Male

Total2

................................. 10,214 100.0 5.0 0.7 32.5 1.7 62.5 1.9

Hispanic origin and race:

Hispanic or Latino .......................

Not Hispanic or Latino:

White, single race ......................

Black or African American, single race .........

2,154

6,049

1,657

100.0

100.0

100.0

7.3

3.0

9.3

1.9

0.7

2.7

33.2

29.4

40.4

3.7

2.3

3.3

59.5

67.5

50.3

3.4

2.4

3.8

1

Based on a response to a question in the self-administered portion of the questionnaire asking which of the three reponses comes closest to describing how much he/she wanted the first intercourse
 

to happen.
 

2

Includes persons of other or multiple origin and race groups, not shown separately.
 

NOTE: Numbers and percentages reflect heterosexual vaginal sexual intercourse only, not other types of sexual activity.
 

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Survey of Family Growth, 2006–2010.
 
st sex among females and males aged 15–19, by method used: United States, 2006–2010

umber in

ousands

Any

method

Standard

error

No

method

Standard

error

Pill

(at all)

Standard

error

Other

hormonal1

Standard

error

Condom

(at all)

Standard

error

All other

methods2

Standard

error

Dual

methods

(hormonal

and condom)

Standard

error

4,532 78.3 1.9 21.7 1.9 15.7 1.6 6.1 1.1 68.0 2.0 3.4 0.8 14.8 1.5

833

2,547

707

74.082.772.7

3.92.34.6

26.017.327.3

3.92.34.6

7.2

22.2

9.4

2.42.52.6

5.86.46.9

2.31.82.2

65.471.365.9

3.52.74.7

1.34.2

*

0.71.3

*

5.7

21.310.0

1.72.32.9

4,551 85.4 1.6 14.6 1.6 17.9 2.0 1.4 0.6 79.6 2.0 2.7 0.7 16.2 1.8

931

2,340

939

84.188.281.7

3.12.23.2

15.9

11.8

18.3

3.12.23.2

9.1

25.210.8

2.83.22.5

*

2.5

*

*

1.1

*

78.580.779.6

3.22.93.5

4.52.5

*

1.41.3

*

8.3

22.610.2

2.82.72.5

ecision.

ion, and contraceptive patch in 2002; adds contraceptive ring (Nuva-Ring) and Implanon implant in 2006–2010.

f other method was combined with condom or hormonal method, it is not counted. Other methods include withdrawal, sterilization, IUD, female condom, diaphragm, cervical cap, spermicidal foam, jelly,

thod, and ‘‘other’’ methods.

ce groups, not shown separately.

d other hormonal reflect use of that method regardless of whether it was used alone or in combination with another method.

Growth, 2006–2010.

Page 32[ Series 23, No. 31
st sex in the prior 3 months among never-married females and males aged 15–19, by method used: United States, 2006–2010

umber in

ousands

Any

method

Standard

error

No

method

Standard

error

Pill

(at all)

Standard

error

Other

hormonal1

Standard

error

Condom

(at all)

Standard

error

All other

methods2

Standard

error

Dual

methods

(hormonal

and condom)

Standard

error

3,175 85.6 1.9 14.4 1.9 30.5 2.3 12.2 1.7 52.0 2.8 11.0 1.8 20.1 2.2

539

1,829

499

79.589.781.0

5.02.24.0

20.510.319.0

5.02.24.0

17.238.915.5

3.93.54.0

18.010.813.8

4.32.13.2

47.752.858.6

6.13.65.5

10.6

11.7

6.5

3.62.5

2.0

14.024.5

13.3

4.93.2

3.6

2,970 92.5 1.3 7.5 1.3 39.0 2.6 9.3 1.6 74.7 2.2 3.4 0.7 33.9 2.8

593

1,537

607

86.296.791.2

3.11.32.9

13.8

3.38.8

3.11.32.9

29.449.424.1

4.54.14.0

6.8

11.0

10.0

2.92.63.3

65.576.778.9

4.23.64.4

4.32.93.8

2.11.11.2

19.643.325.6

4.04.44.3

plants in 1995; adds Lunelle injectable, emergency contraception, and contraceptive patch in 2002; adds contraceptive ring (Nuva-Ring) and Implanon implant in 2006–2010.

f other method was combined with condom or hormonal method, it is not counted. Other methods include withdrawal, sterilization, IUD, female condom, diaphragm, cervical cap, spermicidal foam, jelly,

thod, and ‘‘other’’ methods.

ce groups, not shown separately.

d other hormonal reflect use of that method regardless of whether it was used alone or in combination with another method.

Growth, 2006–2010.

Series 23, No. 31[ Page 33
Page 34 [ Series 23, No. 31

Table XII. Consistency of condom use in the 4 weeks prior to the interview among never-married females and males aged 15–19:

United States, 2006–2010

Percent of times a condom was used

0% Some 100%

Number in Standard Standard Standard

Characteristic thousands Total Percent error Percent error Percent error

Female

Total1 ................................... 2,646 100.0 39.2 2.6 11.9 1.8 49.0 3.1

Hispanic origin and race:

Hispanic or Latina .......................... 437 100.0 42.9 6.1 13.8 4.2 43.3 6.3

Not Hispanic or Latina:

White, single race ........................ 1,516 100.0 41.5 4.0 10.5 2.3 48.0 4.4

Black or African American, single race ............ 428 100.0 31.6 5.3 17.2 4.2 51.1 5.2

Male

Total1 ................................... 2,312 100.0 22.7 2.4 10.8 1.9 66.5 2.6

Hispanic origin and race:

Hispanic or Latino .......................... 432 100.0 30.9 5.1 11.4 2.6 57.6 5.1

Not Hispanic or Latino:

White, single race ........................ 1,225 100.0 20.1 3.7 12.4 3.1 67.5 4.3

Black or African American, single race ............ 465 100.0 16.7 4.4 8.1 2.6 75.2 4.8

1

Includes persons of other or unknown origin and race groups, not shown separately.
 

NOTE: Numbers and percentages reflect heterosexual vaginal sexual intercourse only, not other types of sexual activity. Percentages may not add to 100 due to rounding.
 

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Survey of Family Growth, 2006–2010.
 

Table XIII. Probability of a first birth by age 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 for females aged 15–24: United States, 2006–2010

Probability of a first birth by age:

Characteristic 15 16 17 18 19 20

Total1 ................................... 0.00 0.01 0.04 0.08 0.13 0.18

Hispanic origin and race

Hispanic or Latina ........................... 0.01 0.03 0.09 0.16 0.23 0.30

Not Hispanic or Latina:

White, single race .......................... 0.00 0.01 0.02 0.05 0.09 0.13

Black or African American, single race ............. 0.00 0.01 0.04 0.10 0.18 0.27

0.0 Quantity more than zero but less than 0.01.

1

Includes persons of other or unknown origin and race groups, not shown separately.

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Survey of Family Growth, 2006–2010.
Series 23, No. 31 [ Page 35

Table XIV. Main reason for never having had sex for females and males aged 15–19: United States, 2006–2010

Hispanic origin and race1

Not Hispanic or Latina or Latino

Gender and reason Hispanic White, single race Black, single race

Female Number in thousands1

Total1 ................................... 1,071 3,487 859

Percent distribution (standard error)

Total ................................... 100.0 100.0 100.0

Reason didn’t have sex

Against religion or morals ...................... 28.2 (3.0) 48.3 (3.3) 27.2 (4.2)

Don’t want to get pregnant ...................... 22.4 (2.9) 13.6 (2.0) 21.5 (4.4)

Don’t want to get a sexually transmitted disease ........ 10.1 (2.1) 5.5 (1.4) 14.7 (2.5)

Haven’t found the right person yet ................. 20.6 (2.7) 20.1 (2.6) 16.2 (3.4)

In a relationship, but waiting for the right time .......... 8.1 (1.7) 4.8 (1.2) 7.8 (2.4)

Other reason .............................. 10.7 (2.0) 7.6 (1.4) 12.6 (3.8)

Male Number in thousands1

Total1 ................................... 1,079 3,886 642

Percent distribution (standard error)

Total ................................... 100.0 100.0 100.0

Reason didn’t have sex

Against religion or morals ...................... 27.2 (3.0) 34.0 (3.0) 20.1 (4.4)

Don’t want to get pregnant ...................... 16.8 (1.9) 11.2 (1.7) 14.8 (3.6)

Don’t want to get a sexually transmitted disease ........ 7.0 (2.0) 4.8 (1.3) 15.7 (3.6)

Haven’t found the right person yet ................. 31.8 (3.6) 29.1 (2.3) 27.3 (4.5)

In a relationship, but waiting for the right time .......... 7.5 (2.2) 11.6 (1.8) 11.8 (3.8)

Other reason .............................. 9.7 (2.6) 9.3 (1.4) 10.2 (2.9)

1

Includes persons of other or unknown origin and race groups, not shown separately.

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Survey of Family Growth, 2006–2010.)
Vital and Health Statistics

Series Descriptions

ACTIVE SERIES

Series 1. Programs and Collection Procedures—This type of report

describes the data collection programs of the National Center

for Health Statistics. Series 1 includes descriptions of the

methods used to collect and process the data, definitions, and

other material necessary for understanding the data.

Series 2. Data Evaluation and Methods Research—This type of

report concerns statistical methods and includes analytical

techniques, objective evaluations of reliability of collected

data, and contributions to statistical theory. Also included are

experimental tests of new survey methods, comparisons of

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reports of major committees concerning vital and health

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Series 3. Analytical and Epidemiological Studies—This type of

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and health statistics. As of 2009, Series 3 also includes

studies based on surveys that are not part of continuing data

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international vital and health statistics reports.

Series 10. Data From the National Health Interview Survey—This

type of report contains statistics on illness; unintentional

injuries; disability; use of hospital, medical, and other health

services; and a wide range of special current health topics

covering many aspects of health behaviors, health status, and

health care utilization. Series 10 is based on data collected in

this continuing national household interview survey.

Series 11. Data From the National Health Examination Survey, the

National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, and

the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey—

In this type of report, data from direct examination, testing,

and measurement on representative samples of the civilian

noninstitutionalized population provide the basis for (1)

medically defined total prevalence of specific diseases or

conditions in the United States and the distributions of the

population with respect to physical, physiological, and

psychological characteristics, and (2) analyses of trends and

relationships among various measurements and between

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Series 13. Data From the National Health Care Survey—This type of

report contains statistics on health resources and the public’s

use of health care resources including ambulatory, hospital,

and long-term care services based on data collected directly

from health care providers and provider records.

Series 20. Data on Mortality—This type of report contains statistics on

mortality that are not included in regular, annual, or monthly

reports. Special analyses by cause of death, age, other

demographic variables, and geographic and trend analyses

are included.

Series 21. Data on Natality, Marriage, and Divorce—This type of

report contains statistics on natality, marriage, and divorce

that are not included in regular, annual, or monthly reports.

Special analyses by health and demographic variables and

geographic and trend analyses are included.

Series 23. Data From the National Survey of Family Growth—These

reports contain statistics on factors that affect birth rates,

including contraception and infertility; factors affecting the

formation and dissolution of families, including cohabitation,

marriage, divorce, and remarriage; and behavior related to

the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

These statistics are based on national surveys of women and

men of childbearing age.

DISCONTINUED SERIES

Series 4. Documents and Committee Reports—These are final

reports of major committees concerned with vital and health

statistics and documents. The last Series 4 report was

published in 2002. As of 2009, this type of report is included

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report topic.

Series 5. International Vital and Health Statistics Reports—This

type of report compares U.S. vital and health statistics with

those of other countries or presents other international data of

relevance to the health statistics system of the United States.

The last Series 5 report was published in 2003. As of 2009,

this type of report is included in Series 3 or another series,

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uses methods of cognitive science to design, evaluate, and

test survey instruments. The last Series 6 report was

published in 1999. As of 2009, this type of report is included

in Series 2.

Series 12. Data From the Institutionalized Population Surveys—

The last Series 12 report was published in 1974. Reports

from these surveys are included in Series 13.

Series 14. Data on Health Resources: Manpower and Facilities—

The last Series 14 report was published in 1989. Reports on

health resources are included in Series 13.

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based on these surveys are included in Series 3.

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Statistics—The last Series 16 report was published in 1996.

All reports are available online, and so compilations of

Advance Data reports are no longer needed.

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The last Series 22 report was published in 1973. Reports

from these sample surveys, based on vital records, are

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Divorce—The last Series 24 report was published in 1996.

All reports are available online, and so compilations of reports

are no longer needed.

For answers to questions about this report or for a list of reports published

in these series, contact:

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

3311 Toledo Road, Room 5412

Hyattsville, MD 20782

1–800–232–4636

E-mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov

Internet: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs
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