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The Complementary Role of Information and Contraceptive Access in Teen Pregnancy

Author

Listed:
  • Sevin Kaytan
  • Stwarth Piedra-Bonilla
  • Tom Zohar

Abstract

We investigate how information frictions affect the efficacy of contraception provision programs. We study a Costa Rican initiative that combined free access to long-acting reversible contraceptives and a tailored information campaign to correct for baseline misinformation. Using administrative data and geographic variation in the initiative, we find a 16% decrease in the teen birth rate. We show information complements access – an extra year of exposure to the information campaign is equivalent to the effect of contraception access alone. Using surveys on sexual behavior, we show the policy changed the information source from personal networks to healthcare professionals, amending misinformation on sexual health.

Suggested Citation

  • Sevin Kaytan & Stwarth Piedra-Bonilla & Tom Zohar, 2026. "The Complementary Role of Information and Contraceptive Access in Teen Pregnancy," CESifo Working Paper Series 12687, CESifo.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_12687
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior

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