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Round 2 Topic: Contraception Use

Rapid Surveys from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) collect timely, relevant data on topics of public health importance. Surveys are conducted several times a year using probability-based commercial online panels. Each survey includes a unique set of questions about different public health topics. Data collection for Round 2 occurred during October—November 2023.

This page includes estimates in dashboard and table formats. Estimates for contraception use include indicators such as the percentage of women ages 18 and older who had sex with a male partner, used any form of birth control by method used, and changed or stopped their birth control method by specific reason.

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Contraception use dashboard

Select the buttons at the top of the dashboard to view bar chart and data table. Use the drop-down menus to show data for selected indicators or demographic variables.

View dashboard data on data.cdc.gov
Table 1. Percentage who changed or stopped a birth control method used to prevent pregnancy, and reasons for changing or stopping birth control method to prevent pregnancy, among women aged 18–49 who had sexual intercourse with a male partner and used a birth control method other than sterilization in the past 12 months: United States, October–November, 2023
Select reasons Percent (95% confidence interval)
Changed or stopped birth control method 18.1 (14.8–21.9)
Wanted to use a more effective birth control method1 34.2 (23.2–46.6)
Wanted to use a less expensive birth control method1 15.0 (8.5–23.8)
Did not like the birth control method they were using1 42.8 (31.4–54.8)
Changes in their ability to access the method they were using1 16.1 (9.1–25.6)
Concerns about possible changes in their ability to access the method they were using1 19.5 (10.6–31.3)
Concerns about privacy or confidentiality1 *
Wanted to become pregnant1 31.3 (21.3–42.8)
Some other reason1 60.9 (49.1–71.9

*Estimate is not shown, as it does not meet NCHS standards of reliability.
1Among those who had changed or stopped birth control method in the past 12 months.

NOTES: Reasons for changing or stopping birth control methods were not mutually exclusive, and respondents may have selected more than one reason. All estimates shown meet the NCHS standards of reliability. See technical notes for more details.

SOURCE: National Center for Health Statistics, Rapid Surveys System, Round 2, October–November, 2023.

Survey Topics

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Technical Notes

See the technical notes [PDF – 68 KB] for more information on these measures.

Limitations

Data collected under the Rapid Surveys System are intended to complement and not replace the current household survey systems at NCHS, including the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). The Rapid Surveys approach has a greater potential for coverage and nonresponse bias and smaller sample sizes, thus resulting in lower precision (especially for subgroups). The Rapid Surveys System is particularly well suited for time-sensitive data needs, measuring public health attitudes, developmental work to improve concept measurement, and methodological studies.

Data Source

Rapid Surveys System data are cross-sectional data based on commercial probability-sampled online survey panels that are supplemented, if necessary, with alternative modes to improve representativeness. Data were collected from 7,046 adult participants this cycle using two panels – AmeriSpeak (conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago) and KnowledgePanel (conducted by Ipsos). Estimates shown in this dashboard are based on data collected in Round 2 of Rapid Surveys, occurring during October—November 2023. All estimates shown meet the NCHS Data Presentation Standards for Proportions. Data on contraception use were collected on behalf of CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.

Survey Questions
Suggested Citation

NCHS Rapid Surveys Systems. Contraception Use. National Center for Health Statistics. Available from: www.cdc.gov/nchs/rss/round2/contraception-use.html.