Low Level of Knowledge of Contraceptive Methods among Pregnant Teens in Brazil

Abstract

Study objective: To describe knowledge and use of contraceptive methods among pregnant teens in Brazil.

Design: A cross-sectional survey.

Setting: A tertiary care center in Bahia, Brazil.

Participants: Pregnant teens 10-19 years old.

Interventions: Participants were asked about contraceptive knowledge and previous contraceptive use.

Main outcome measures: Contraceptive knowledge, previous contraceptive use, and contraceptive intentions for after pregnancy. Other survey topics included demographic characteristics, school attendance, and sexual history.

Results: A total of 90 participants wereincluded in the study, with an average age of 15.4 ± 1.7 years, and a mean age at first sexual intercourse of 13.8 ± 1.2 years. Most participants were unmarried (58/90), of mixed race (57/90), had a household income below minimum wage (59/83), lived with their parents (54/90), and unemployment (81/90). More than 80% were not using contraception or were using it irregularly whenthey became pregnant. Most participants reported knowledge of condoms (82/90), of the combined oral contraceptive pill (75/90) and of injectable contraceptives (68/90). However, less than half reported knowledge oflong-acting reversible contraceptive methods. In terms of contraceptive intentions after pregnancy, the most commonly cited methods were the contraceptive injection (36/90), the intrauterine device (17/90) and the combined pill (9/90).

Conclusion: In this study we found a low level of knowledge of contraceptive methods, and especially of long-acting reversible contraceptive methods, among pregnant teens in Northeast Brazil. Low socioeconomic status and high rates of unplanned pregnancy might be reasons for insufficient sexual and reproductive health counseling in this population.

Keywords: Contraceptive methods; Family planning; Pregnancy; Teens.