Female adolescents' compliance with contraceptive regimens

Evaluation of a computerized contraceptive decision aid for adolescent patients

Recent efforts to involve patients more actively in therapeutic decisions have suggested the relevance of computer-based interventions at clinic visits. This paper presents a longitudinal, experimental study evaluating a computer-based contraceptive decision aid in Chicago and Madison family planning clinic visits. Patient interviews at three time points evaluated patient acceptance by and program impact on 949 young women. Both Chicago and Madison patients reported high acceptance. The program resulted in improved short-term knowledge and confidence in oral contraceptive (OC) efficacy for Chicago and Madison patients. In addition, compared to their control group, Madison experimental group patients had higher OC knowledge 1 year after the initial visit and a trend for fewer pregnancies (P < 0.074). Compared to their control group, a higher percent of the Chicago experimental group patients adopted OC's after stating their intention to do so at the initial visit. Exposure to the computer program had no observable impact on the number of months on the oral contraceptive for Chicago or Madison patients. Overall findings suggest the usefulness of informatics tools as a supplement to patient-provider interactions.

Incorporating health and behavioral consequences of child abuse in prevention programs targeting female adolescents

A study examining the health and behavioral consequences of child abuse was conducted among 263 parenting and 257 never-pregnant teens attending a reproductive health clinic. Both groups of teens identified the following major consequences: suicide, prostitution, school drop-out, crime and substance abuse. However, only parenting teens expressed interest in prevention programs that would address these consequences. Traditional child abuse prevention programs are focused on parenting issues and rarely address health and behavioral consequences of abuse. These health and behavioral consequences of abuse may make adolescents vulnerable to abuse their own children as well as interfere with their psychosocial development. Therefore, the authors recommend integrating health and behavioral issues into child abuse prevention programs.

Use of levonorgestrel implants versus oral contraceptives in adolescence: a case-control study

OBJECTIVE

We compared continuation rates, effectiveness, satisfaction with method, side effects, and condom practices among adolescents using levonorgestrel implants (Norplant, Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories, Philadelphia) as compared with oral contraceptives.

STUDY DESIGN

We conducted a case-control study comparing 94 adolescents < or = 18 years old who received Norplant between March 1, 1992, and Nov. 1, 1993 (cases), with 94 age-matched controls who selected oral contraceptives during this same time period. By use of a structured questionnaire, information was obtained on pregnancy status, duration of use, patient satisfaction, side effects, and condom practices 6 months after initiation. Objective measures included weight on Norplant and oral contraceptive users and hematocrit on implant patients.

RESULTS

Forty (43%) oral contraceptive patients compared with no Norplant patients discontinued their selected method before the 6-month interview (p = 0.00). Six patients prescribed oral contraceptives became pregnant. Ninety-three percent of Norplant users expressed overall satisfaction despite experiencing menstrual irregularity and cramping, amenorrhea, nervousness, abnormal hair growth or loss, rashes, and an increase in appetite more often than oral contraceptive users. Although Norplant patients also reported an increase in the duration of menstrual flow and number of days of spotting more often than oral contraceptive users, evaluation of hematocrits in these patients demonstrated a significant increase over the 6-month period (p = 0.00). Assessment of condom practices since initiation demonstrated that Norplant patients used condoms less often than oral contraceptive users (p = 0.00).

CONCLUSION

Use of levonorgestrel implants may cause more side effects than oral contraceptives in the early months after initiation but provide superior protection against unintended pregnancy. We concluded that Norplant is a reasonable alternative for adolescents, especially when compliance is an issue.

The relationship between female adolescents' oral contraceptive adherence and autonomy

This exploratory study examines the relation between female adolescents' emotional autonomy and oral contraceptive adherence. The participants were 51 single female adolescents (16, 17, and 18 years old) who had never been pregnant. At the 3-month follow-up, 39 of the subjects (77%) completed the study. Subjects completed the Emotional Autonomy Scale (Steinberg & Silverberg, 1986) initially and at the 3-month follow-up. Oral contraceptive adherence was assessed at the 3-month follow-up. Subjects had relatively high oral contraceptive adherence and autonomy. Oral contraceptive adherence was not associated with autonomy (r = .22, p = .21). Autonomy may be more influential on adolescents' seeking oral contraceptives rather than to adhering to their use.

Seventeen-year review of sexual and contraceptive behavior on a college campus

OBJECTIVES

We reviewed current sexual and contraceptive behavior of college-age men and women and compared the findings with those of similar studies in 1974 and 1979.

STUDY DESIGN

A randomly selected population questionnaire was provided to students registered in the spring 1991 semester. Of the 1921 survey forms mailed, 772 (40.2%) were returned. The CHIFIT test was used to determine representativeness of sample population to target population.

RESULTS

Proportionately more women than men responded, although the age grouping and academic standing were consistent with the university population. Of the 772 responses, 84.2% were sexually active with a mean age at onset of 17.8 years. Half (50.3%) always used contraception with oral contraceptives as the first choice and condoms second. Sexually transmitted diseases were reported by 19.1%. More than one fourth (27.8%) had been tested for human immunodeficiency virus or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Fifteen percent (15.1%) reported being forced to have sex, and 50% of these incidents had occurred before age 19.

CONCLUSIONS

On a comparison with findings in 1974 and 1979, more students had participated in sexual activity beginning at a younger age with slightly less use of contraception.

Patient counseling

The success or failure of oral contraceptive (OC) use depends very heavily on the type and extent of the counseling a woman is given both before and during pill administration. If she selects the OC as her method of choice after considering all the options, a clear, detailed, and accurate discussion should ensue about its proper use; any fears that she may have should be explored; and great emphasis should be placed on the advantages and effectiveness of our current pills and, above all, on their numerous health benefits. All her questions should be answered in a thorough and emphatic fashion, and she should be encouraged to ask for additional answers at any time in the future. Finally, if her history reveals that she is at risk for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), she must be informed that the pill, while highly protective against unplanned pregnancy, will not provide protection against most STDs or HIV infections, and that she should also use condoms and/or a female barrier contraceptive with each act of intercourse.

Contraceptive behavior among sexually active Hispanic adolescents

The purpose of this study was to examine those factors associated with the contraceptive behavior of a national representative sample of Hispanic female adolescents. The subjects included all (n = 85) unmarried, sexually active Hispanic women, aged 15 to 19, from the 1982 National Survey of Family Growth. Contraceptive behavior was measured on a normalized scale, ranging from oral contraceptives to no contraception. Mexican/American and Central/South American background females were more likely (p less than 0.031) to use effective birth control than Puerto Rican, Cuban, and other Hispanic background subjects. Twenty additional social, behavioral, and demographic variables were found to be significantly associated (p less than 0.05) with contraceptive behavior. Based on multiple regression analysis, seven of these variables were found to explain 62% (p less than 0.0001) of the variation in the contraceptive behavior of this sample. Poorer contraceptive behavior was associated with noncompliance with the initial birth control method used (33.8%), lower coital frequency (8.3%), older postmenarchial age (5.7%), failure to use birth control at first coitus (4.6%), fewer years dating (4.0%), lower frequency of church attendance (3.3%), and never having experienced a pregnancy scare (2.0%). These findings suggest that the contraceptive behavior of Hispanic female adolescents is a dynamic process that can be understood in the context of previous sexual and contraceptive behavior.

Adolescent wellness. Facilitating compliance in social morbidities

The establishment of a well adolescent schedule needs to be developed similar to the scheduled clinical visits in pediatric care. However, providing adolescent wellness visits without appropriate financial reimbursement for time expended and without increased provider training may make "well" adolescent visits an unrealistic expectation. However, two major trends will significantly impact on the future of adolescent health care. These include a sharp increase in numbers of adolescents beginning in 1990 and the poverty within the adolescent population. These data suggest that obstacles, whether personal, financial, or educational, need to be addressed quickly in order to resolve these problems because of increasing numbers of adolescents and related morbidities through the year 2000. The increasing trend of juvenile poverty in this population has been significantly associated with a number of the new morbidities such as substance abuse, STD, pregnancy, and the latest morbidity, AIDS. Without a wellness schedule, it is likely that adolescents will continue to represent an underserved population; as a consequence, mortalities and morbidities will increase through the year 2000. The issue of adherence to prescribed medical regimens in the adolescent population is an interesting, complex, and especially challenging one when faced with the social morbidities. Although preliminary work in this area has progressed in the last 15 years, greater attention must be paid to the needs of adolescents in order to determine effective strategies that can minimize the effects of the current morbidities. It is important for the primary care physician not to become overwhelmed with the scope of problems that adolescents have or become discouraged because anticipatory guidance seems ineffective. Repeated dosages of anticipatory guidance should not be viewed as limitations or failures but rather as necessary and standard care. One should consider such interventions as similar to immunizations, in which certain vaccines result in life-long immunity. One would not eliminate the tetanus vaccine because the patient must receive periodic boosters. Similarly, as health care professionals, we should not consider interventions designed to preclude behavior or mental health problems as failures if periodic and developmentally appropriate relevant "boosters" are necessary. Anticipatory guidance is an extremely effective tool that every primary care physician has at his or her disposal to assist in the diagnosis of problematic behavior in adolescents and to preclude problems. Future research needs to focus on documenting strategies that can be utilized by physicians on a daily basis without excessive time or financial constraints.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Contraceptive and sexual behavior of black female adolescents. A test of a social-psychological theoretical model

To test a previous theoretical model, we studied the relationships between social, attitude, and psychological factors and adolescent contraceptive behavior over a 6-month period. A pretested questionnaire was administered to a random sample of 115 black females aged 12 to 18 years from a low socioeconomic population. Six months after the initial interview 113 of the subjects were administered a second questionnaire assessing their sexual and contraceptive behavior. Based on regression analysis, previous pregnancy and coital frequency explained 12.7% (p less than or equal to 0.0001) of the variation in engaging in unprotected coitus. When controlling for sexual activity, birth control knowledge and previous broken appointments explained an additional 5.5% of variation in the regression model (total R2 = 0.185). Coital frequency of the subjects was positively associated with Tanner stage, length of the relationship, effectiveness of previous contraceptive method(s), and degree of birth control knowledge. Coital frequency was inversely associated with a negative attitude toward pregnancy and negative parental attitudes toward adolescent pregnancy. The perceived risk of pregnancy was positively correlated with coital frequency and previous pregnancy. These findings support our model, but suggest that among low socioeconomic black female adolescents the interpretation of several model components depends on the subjects' attitude toward pregnancy and her perception of her parent's attitude toward adolescent pregnancy.