Contraceptive choice for young people.
METHODS
Giving young women access to newer contraceptives such as the combined contraceptive patch, combined contraceptive vaginal ring and single-rod implant may help reduce teenage pregnancies. However, little is known about young people's attitudes towards these contraceptives. This cross-sectional survey, using a self-completion questionnaire, aimed to explore young people's attitudes towards these contraceptives in order to develop understanding of the choices they make about contraception. Participants were a self-selecting sample of young women attending contraception clinics in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. Statistical analysis was carried out using appropriate univariate tests. Qualitative analysis involved identification of key themes, which were continuously challenged by looking for conformity and variation and by identifying disconfirming cases.


RESULTS
The majority of the 127 participants had no prior knowledge of the patch, vaginal ring or implant. Interest in using these contraceptives was low. Associations were found between their attitude towards using them and the participants' age, experience of pregnancy scares, experience of unplanned pregnancies and prior knowledge of the contraceptives. Six major themes emerged relating to the advantages and disadvantages of these contraceptives and included convenience, effectiveness, safety along with side effects, invasiveness and discretion.


CONCLUSIONS
Young people's knowledge of and attitudes towards these contraceptives was variable and may have been influenced by experience and access to information. Themes identified from perceptions of these contraceptives are useful in developing understanding of what young people look for in contraceptives. Health professionals should provide information on these themes when assisting young people in making informed decisions about contraception.
Northern Deanery, Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Hospitals Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Rebecca
R
Say
Diana
D
Mansour
D002755:Choice Behavior; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003274:Contraceptive Devices, Female; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D055815:Young Adult
D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female