Expectations for Sex without Birth Control among Young Men: Risk Factors from the USA National Survey of Reproductive and Contraceptive Knowledge

PURPOSE: Male partner engagement in family planning can influence women's contraceptive behaviors and risk of unintended pregnancy. We identified factors associated with self-reported expectations for future contraceptive use among a nationally-representative sample of young men. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The National Survey of Reproductive and Contraceptive Knowledge asked unmarried, sexually active men (ages, 18–29 y), who were neither involved in nor trying for a pregnancy, about their likelihood of having sex without contraception in the following three months. Demographics, social factors, and contraceptive awareness and attitudes were examined for potential associations using weighted analyses. RESULTS: Of 903 men surveyed, nearly 600 were sexually active and expected to have sex in the following 3 months; nearly half (43%) reported at least some likelihood (23% slightly, 7% very, 13% extreme likely) that they would have sex without any contraception. Factors independently associated with sex without contraception included: not completing high school, not being in school full-time, not receiving sex education, limited awareness of contraceptive methods, multiple sexual partners, and friends with unintended pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS: Despite not wanting a pregnancy, many young men report they will have sex without contraception. While comprehensive sex education may increase contraceptive use, interpersonal and social factors also influence men's expected use of contraception.