Teenagers' struggles with contraceptive use - what improvements can be made?
OBJECTIVE
To study the experiences of teenagers using contraceptives at an out-patient abortion clinic and to explore the reasons behind their choices.


METHODS
Twelve teenagers who had applied for induced abortion were interviewed three to four weeks after abortion. The interviews comprised open questions about contraceptive experiences focusing on hindrance for contraceptive use. Qualitative content analysis was used.


RESULTS
One theme was identified: Struggling with feelings of uncertainty and patterns of behaviour. Three categories emerged from the analysis. Uncertainty dealt with decisions and behaviours that varied with time and between the different individuals. Factors that influence contraceptive use dealt with the persons that the participants had discussed contraceptives with, how they acquired knowledge about contraceptive use and the nature of their behaviour. Anxiety dealt with the side effects of contraception and feelings of fear related to contraceptive use.


CONCLUSIONS
The participants had feelings of uncertainty, anxiety and fear towards contraceptive use which led to non use and inconsistent use. Guidance from health care providers and access to youth clinics varied and was unsatisfactory. Parents were supportive of contraceptive use but not active in the process of getting their child to initiate it. Friends and the Internet were the main sources for acquiring information.
Falk
Gabriella
G
Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Sweden. gabriella.falk@lio.se
Ivarsson
Ann-Britt
AB
Brynhildsen
Jan
J
D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000523:psychology*; D000293:Adolescent; D001007:Anxiety; D003267:Contraception / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003268:Contraception Behavior; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D035501:Uncertainty