Attitudes Of Adolescent Girls Towards Contraceptive Methods

BackgroundThere has been a growing interest in patterns ofcontraceptive use among adolescents, due, in particular, tothe social relevance attached to pregnancy in this agegroup. Therefore, the objective of the study was toinvestigate factors associated with the use of contraceptivemethods among female adolescent students.MethodA cross-sectional study was conducted, by means of selfappliedquestionnaires, among 500 adolescent girls rangingfrom 15to 19 years of age. Prevalence with respect to theknowledge of contraceptive methods, condom use, andAIDS was calculated.ResultsAmong the 500 students who participated in study only onewas sexually active .The factors associated with knowledgelack and misconception are less discussion at home or atschool or college level. There were many negative beliefslike impotence after condom use, weakness aftersterilization, fear of becoming obese as reasons for choosingdifferent contraceptive methods.ConclusionThese results confirm the there is a need for reproductivehealth education in school and college as well as robustresearch to determine the contraceptive needs ofadolescents.