Acceptance of long-acting reversible contraceptive methods by adolescent participants in the Contraceptive CHOICE Project.
BACKGROUND
Adolescent women have a high risk of unintended pregnancy. Currently, there are little data about their choice to initiate long-acting reversible contraception (LARC).


METHODS
We evaluated the association of age and preference for a LARC vs. a non-LARC method among adolescent participants in the Contraceptive CHOICE Project, comparing those aged 14-17 years to adolescents aged 18-20 years. We then analyzed the association between age and choice of the implant vs. the intrauterine device (IUD) among adolescents.


RESULTS
Of the 5086 women enrolled, 70% (n=3557) of participants chose a LARC method. Among adolescents aged 14-20 years, 69% of 14-17-year-olds chose LARC, while 61% of 18-20-year-olds chose LARC (relative risk 1.16, 95% confidence interval 1.03-1.30). Among adolescents choosing a LARC method, 63% (n=93/148) of the 14-17-year-olds chose the implant, whereas 71% (n=364/510) of the 18-20-year-olds chose the IUD.


CONCLUSIONS
Long-acting reversible contraception use is clearly acceptable and common among adolescents enrolled in the Contraceptive CHOICE Project, with the younger group being most interested in the implant.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University, St. Louis School of Medicine,St. Louis, MI 63110-1501, USA. mestadr@upstate.edu
Renee
R
Mestad
Gina
G
Secura
Jenifer E
JE
Allsworth
Tessa
T
Madden
Qiuhong
Q
Zhao
Jeffrey F
JF
Peipert
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D016497:Adolescent Health Services; D000367:Age Factors; D003267:Contraception; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004343:Drug Implants; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007434:Intrauterine Devices; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008923:Missouri; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D055815:Young Adult
D004343:Drug Implants