OBJECTIVETo identify contraceptive use behavior and its determinants among never married young women with an unwanted pregnancy and seeking pregnancy termination in Beijing.

METHODSA cross sectional study, adopting the Lawrence' PRECEDE-PROCEED model was conducted in 1999 in Beijing, China. A total of 306 unmarried young women, aged 18 to 24 years and requesting pregnancy termination, were face to face interviewed.

RESULTSOnly 13% of the young women insisted on contraceptive use, and almost an equal proportion occasionally or never used contraceptives (26% and 27%, respectively). Among 224 women who had contraceptive use during the past 12 months, the methods used most often were condom (49%), withdrawal (28%) and the rhythm method (16%). One of the most important reasons cited by 73 percent of women who had never used contraceptives was that they did not realize the risk of getting pregnant. The results of logistic regression analysis revealed that knowledge on contraception, boyfriend's approval of contraceptive use, perceived risk of getting pregnant, perceived availability of contraceptive services and discussion of contraception with boyfriend were important indicators of a young woman's contraceptive use behavior.

CONCLUSIONThese results indicate an urgent need to develop sex education on conception and contraception among young women and men. It is equally important to enhance young women's perception about the risk of unwanted pregnancy and the complications of induced abortion. Promotinga men's cooperation and participation in contraceptive use as well as strengthening communication on contraception between young women and their partners is essential.