Contraceptive Decisions

Grade Level: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, Higher Education. Subject: Health/Human Sexuality Duration: 50 minutes

Description High school and college students make choices about engaging in sexual activities. These choices include use of contraceptives to prevent unintended pregnancy. The purpose of this lesson is to encourage students to consider features of contraceptives prior to sexual activity.

Goals Students will comprehend concepts related to health promotion and disease prevention. Students will comprehend concepts related to health promotion and disease prevention. Students will demonstrate the ability to access information and health-promoting products and services. Students will demonstrate the ability to access information and health-promoting products and services. Students will demonstrate the ability to use interpersonal communication skills to enhance health. Students will demonstrate the ability to use interpersonal communication skills to enhance health.

Objectives Students will utilize informational resources for contraceptive decision-making. Students will utilize informational resources for contraceptive decision-making. Students will discuss seven characteristics of an effective contraceptive related to personal health decisions. Students will discuss seven characteristics of an effective contraceptive related to personal health decisions. Students will describe orally and/or graphically an "ideal" contraceptive that is consistent with personal values and health goals. Students will describe orally and/or graphically an "ideal" contraceptive that is consistent with personal values and health goals.

Materials state curriculum framework for health instruction state curriculum framework for health instruction classroom health textbook classroom health textbook pamphlets and brochures on family planning from local health department pamphlets and brochures on family planning from local health department Access to the Internet to search web sites posted Access to the Internet to search web sites posted

Vocabulary Sexually transmitted infection - Any of the many bacterial, viral, or fungal agents that may be transmitted from one person to another through sexual acts. Sexually transmitted infection - Any of the many bacterial, viral, or fungal agents that may be transmitted from one person to another through sexual acts. Contraception - Planned use of chemical or barrier methods to reduce likelihood of fertilization during intercourse. Contraception - Planned use of chemical or barrier methods to reduce likelihood of fertilization during intercourse. Unintended pregnancy - Conception that was unplanned by the female. Unintended pregnancy - Conception that was unplanned by the female.

Procedure Students will read assigned chapter(s) on family planning and contraception. Present a mini-lecture on seven characteristics of effective contraceptives: Effectiveness rate to prevent pregnancy Effectiveness rate to prevent pregnancy Effectiveness rate to prevent sexually transmitted infection Effectiveness rate to prevent sexually transmitted infection Costs Costs Convenience Convenience Side Effects Side Effects Reversibility Reversibility Partner Acceptance Partner Acceptance

Effectiveness rates are determined by accurate and consistent use of a contraceptive during intercourse. Effectiveness rates are determined by accurate and consistent use of a contraceptive during intercourse. Students must consider protection against unintended pregnancy, as well as infectious disease. Students must consider protection against unintended pregnancy, as well as infectious disease. Costs include whether insurance covers the device and estimates of out-of-pocket expenses. Costs include whether insurance covers the device and estimates of out-of-pocket expenses. Convenience includes the time required to obtain it and whether training is needed to use the device correctly. Convenience includes the time required to obtain it and whether training is needed to use the device correctly. Convenience also includes Convenience also includes the user's attitudes about the user's attitudes about preparation and clean-up. preparation and clean-up.

Side effects include consideration of reasons not to use the device and short- and long-term discomfort. Side effects include consideration of reasons not to use the device and short- and long-term discomfort. Reversibility includes whether the contraceptive temporarily or permanently prevents conception. Reversibility includes whether the contraceptive temporarily or permanently prevents conception. Partner acceptance includes perceived attitudes and beliefs about one's sexual partner(s) toward the device. Partner acceptance includes perceived attitudes and beliefs about one's sexual partner(s) toward the device. Each of these should be considered before selecting a contraceptive and before having intercourse.

Divide the class into small working groups of 4-6 students. Each group will utilize print and/or electronic information to research attributes of contraceptives according to the seven characteristics. Divide the class into small working groups of 4-6 students. Each group will utilize print and/or electronic information to research attributes of contraceptives according to the seven characteristics. As an application activity, each group will write about, or draw, an "ideal" contraceptive. This device will be one that is consistent with personal values and health goals. As an application activity, each group will write about, or draw, an "ideal" contraceptive. This device will be one that is consistent with personal values and health goals. Finally, a spokesperson from each group will share aloud features of their "ideal" contraceptive and discuss group process. Encourage students to choose abstinence as an effective method of preventing unintended pregnancy and infection. Finally, a spokesperson from each group will share aloud features of their "ideal" contraceptive and discuss group process. Encourage students to choose abstinence as an effective method of preventing unintended pregnancy and infection.

Assessment: Assessment: Observation of students' oral and written descriptions of ideal contraceptives to determine if all seven characteristics of an effective contraceptive were considered.

Useful Internet Resources: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention * Planned Parenthood * SIECUS (Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States) Planned ParenthoodSIECUS (Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States)Planned ParenthoodSIECUS (Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States)