title: A multicenter survey of contraceptive knowledge among adolescents in North America.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess knowledge about contraceptive efficacy and side effects in an adolescent population seen in Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology referral centers.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a multisite cross-sectional survey study. A 23-question survey assessing knowledge of contraception and demographic information was administered. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, simple paired t tests, and chi-square analyses using SAS 9.3.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology clinics in 4 tertiary care centers. The study was conducted in 3 institutions in the United States and 1 institution in Canada.
  
  
  METHODS
  A convenience sample of 354 female patients aged 10-24 y seeking reproductive healthcare at participating institutions.
  
  
  METHODS
  None
  
  
  METHODS
  The percentage of correct answers to questions assessing general knowledge about contraception, familiarity with different contraceptive methods, and comparison of results between study sites.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean percentage of correct answers among all participants was 55.8% ± 17%. Younger participants (age 10-13 years) scored significantly lower than their older counterparts (49%, 55%, and 60% respectively, P < .05). There was no correlation between score and ethnicity or location of the participating site. Subjects reporting the internet as a source of information, those who were sexually active, and those familiar with long acting reversible contraceptives scored significantly higher. Of all contraceptive methods, participants were least likely to have heard of etonogestrel implants (18%), rhythm method/natural family planning (28%), and IUDs (32%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adolescents and young adults performed poorly overall demonstrating both the lack of overall knowledge regarding methods of contraception and misinformation about side effects.
authors.affiliation: Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX. Electronic address: nsokkary@salud.unm.edu.
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sokkary
authors.forename: Roshanak
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mansouri
authors.forename: Jennie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yoost
authors.forename: Mariel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Focseneanu
authors.forename: Tania
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dumont
authors.forename: Meera
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nathwani
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: S Paige
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Hertweck
authors.forename: Jennifer E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Dietrich
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002170:Canada; D002648:Child; D003267:Contraception / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D003270:Contraceptive Agents; D003273:Contraceptive Devices; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D057226:Information Seeking Behavior; D020407:Internet; D012252:Natural Family Planning Methods; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003270:Contraceptive Agents
keywords: Adolescents; Contraception; Contraceptive knowledge