Many parents of teenagers underestimate the safety and effectiveness of condoms and oral contraceptives, suggests a recent study.

Many parents of teenagers underestimate the safety and effectiveness of condoms and oral contraceptives, suggests a recent study. Statistics show that the condom is 98 percent effective in preventing sexually transmitted infections and 97 percent effective in preventing unwanted pregnancies. Just one in 1,ooo women experiences an unintended pregnancy over a year of consistent pill use. However, the survey, conducted over the phone with parents of adolescents between the ages of 13 and 17 living in Minnesota and Wisconsin, found that fewer than half of these parents believe that correct and consistent use of condoms is an effective means of birth control and STI prevention. Researchers found similar views regarding pill use, considered only somewhat safe by about half of surveyed parents.

Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, March/April 2004