Patterns of contraceptive use among female adolescents: method consistency in a clinic setting.
Major changes in contraceptive use among adolescents in the United States have been documented through surveys and analysis of family planning program service statistics. While we know of the changes in the adolescent population as a whole and those served by organized family planning programs, little is known about the patterns of contraceptive use by individuals. This study examines patterns of contraceptive use among 547 clients of a new contraceptive and counseling service for adolescents in New York City. The principal concern is consistency of contraceptive method use as determined from clinic statistics. Findings show generally high degrees of method consistency, with new and current users displaying more consistency than prior users. Among clients who switch methods, two major patterns emerged: switching among the more effective methods and from less effective to more effective methods. Younger new users were the most consistent subgroup suggesting that a service designed for adolescents may have a positive influence on teenagers without prior contraceptive experience. Prior users were the least consistent subgroup suggesting that programs incorporate screening procedures to identify prior users and to develop new approaches to understanding their past contraceptive use patterns to improve their future use.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D003267:Contraception / Q000379:methods*; D003268:Contraception Behavior; D003376:Counseling; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009519:New York City; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence; D012306:Risk; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors