TITLE:
Contraception Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Adolescents at Risk of Pregnancy in Northeastern Brazil
AUTHORS:
Gilka Paiva Oliveira Costa, Giulia Paiva Oliveira Costa, Mônica de Paula Farias, Ana Cristina Pinheiro Fernandes de Araújo
KEYWORDS:
Adolescent; Contraception; Pregnancy; Attitudes
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.4 No.6,
April
15,
2014
ABSTRACT:
Background: Contraceptive
methods (CM) are important resources in the prevention of adolescent pregnancy.
This study aimed to investigate adolescent knowledge, attitudes and practices related
to contraception. Study Design: A cross-sectional and exploratory study was
conducted with 7th to 9th grade adolescents in northeastern Brazil. Their
knowledge, attitudes, and contraceptive method use were analysed by gender, age
and sexual initiation groups. Results: A sexual debut had been experienced by
21% (n = 120) of all
respondents (n = 570). The
majority of the respondents who had experienced a sexual debut were male
(73.3%, n = 88), their mean age was 15 years (SD
= 1.46), and 49.3% (n = 59)
never used any CM. The participants displayed low knowledge and unfavourable
and ambivalent attitudes concerning contraception. Conclusion: Adolescents
initiate sexual intercourse with knowledge and attitudes that limit the use of
CM, which makes them more at risk of pregnancy. Further research that will be
representative of the specific population in need of interventions is
necessary.