More than two-thirds of sexually active NYC youth use condoms, but other forms of birth c...( More than two thirds (69%) of sexual...),Health

More than two thirds (69%) of sexually active New York City teens use condoms, compared to 63% nationwide, according to a new survey of public high school students. But too few sexually active girls are using the pill and other hormonal contraceptives to prevent unplanned pregnancies. The full report Teen Sexual Activity and Birth Control Use in New York City is available at www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/survey/survey-2007youthsex.pdf. It finds that in New York City:

• Only 8% of sexually active teens or their partners use the pill, compared to 18% nationwide.

• Only 4% of sexually active teens use dual protection (condoms and another method), compared to 8% nationwide.

• 19% of sexually active girls (versus 14% nationwide) used no birth control the last time they had sex.

Postponing sex has many benefits for teens, said Dr. Thomas R. Frieden, New York City Health Commissioner. Its the only sure way to avoid pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Teenagers who choose to have sex should know that condoms and long-acting contraceptives are both important.

In 2005, the New York City teen pregnancy rate (including live births, abortions and miscarriages) was 94 per 1,000 girls aged 15 to 19. Nationally, the rate was just 76 per 1,000 in 2002 (the most recent year on record). Teen pregnancy rates were highest in the citys poorest neighborhoods the South Bronx (153), East and Central Harlem (142), and North and Central Brooklyn (131).

Teen pregnancy can have serious consequences for mothers and their infants. The vast majority of teen pregnancies (86%) are unintended, and more than half (62%) end in abortion. Teenage parents are less likely to complete high school, and children born to teens are at increase
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