This study compares fertility and menstrual characteristics and contraceptive practices of white, black, and Southeast Asian refugee adolescents participating in the Minneapolis Health Department's Maternal and Infant Care Program between 1980 and 1982. Mean ages were similar among all racial groups; however, half the Hmong adolescents had a live birth as compared to less than 25% of the other racial groups. More than 75% of the Hmong and other Southeast Asian adolescents were married as compared to 11% of the whites and 8% of the blacks. Menarche was significantly later (2 years) for Hmong and other Southeast Asians, and the interval between menarche and first pregnancy was significantly shorter for the Hmong. While more than half of the whites and blacks previously used contraception, 14% of the Hmong and 29% of the other Southeast Asians had used contraception. Oral contraceptives were the most frequently used method for whites, blacks, and Southeast Asians; the Hmong were equally likely to choose oral contraceptives or barrier methods. The Hmong were less likely to choose contraception postpartum than were the other groups.This study compares fertility and menstrual characteristics and contraceptive practices of white, black, and Southeast Asian refugee adolescents participation in the Minneapolis Health Department's Maternal and Infant Care Program between 1980 and 1982. Mean ages were similar among all racial groups; however, 1/2 the Hmong adolescents had a live birth as compared to less than 25% of the other racial groups. More than 75% of the Hmong and other Southeast Asian adolescents were married as compared to 11% of the whites and 8% of the blacks. Menarche was significantly later (2 years) for Hmong and other Southeast Asians, and the interval between menarche and 1st pregnancy was significantly shorter for the Hmong. While more than 1/2 of the whites and blacks previously used contraception, 14% of the Hmong and 29% of the other Southeast Asians had used contraception. Oral contraceptives were the most frequently used method for whites, blacks, and Southeast Asians; the Hmong were equally likely to choose oral contraceptives or barrier methods. The Hmong were less likely to choose contraception postpartum than were the other groups.

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Family Planning Programs Studies Reproduction Research Methodology Youth Negro Americas Adolescents refugee Surveys Migrants Caucasian population psychological aspect developing country Population Dynamics Sampling Studies human epidemiology Refugees Developing Countries Asia Ethnic Groups ethnic group comparative study Developed Countries menstruation Time Factors fertility Minnesota ethnology gender identity menstrual cycle United States Cultural Background North America Cross-Cultural Comparison Adolescent attitude Asian Americans Asian American Southeast Asia female juvenile Family Planning Surveys Contraception Western Hemisphere pregnancy cultural factor Pregnancy in Adolescence adolescent pregnancy Whites Article Postpartum Programs Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice migration age Southeastern Asia Age Factors population and population related phenomena developed country Contraceptive Usage Demographic Factors Northern America Population Characteristics Blacks family planning Asia, Southeastern time