Contraception in adolescence
Vandal, S.
Nursing Quebec 2(2): 18-23
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0381-6419 PMID: 6919800 Document Number: 183756
Society has adjusted poorly to the present-day reality of adolescent sexual activity, providing constant sexual stimulation on one hand while condemning teenage sexual experience on the other. In Quebec about 50% of adolescents from 13-18 are sexually active, and each year more and more become active at younger ages. A longitudinal study of 150 adolescents seeking contraception at the Centre Hospitalier Sainte-Justice from July 1979-July 1980 showed that the average age of the girls was 15.7 years at 1st visit, 61% lived with their families, 74% were students, 54% had received other social services, 65% had their 1st sexual relations at or before age 15, 64% had 1 partner in the preceding year, and 40% reported that their parents were aware of their contraceptive use. 55% had intercourse less than once a week, the average interval between 1st intercourse and request for contraception was about 1 year, and 31% had used condoms, and 19% had already used oral contraceptives for a short time before their consultation. Adolescent pregnancy is increasing, demonstrating a need for contraceptive programs adapted to the needs of teenagers. Although a large proportion of adolescents are poorly informed about contraception, lack of motivation springing from certain psychosexual aspects of adolescent development, such as the failure to predict the future consequences of present actions, is a greater barrier to contraceptive use than is lack of knowledge. Responsibility for contraception among adolescents is usually not shared with the male partner. Contraceptive programs which openly disapprove of sexual activity or which demand too high a degree of sophistication are ill suited for adolescents. Nurses can contribute to the prevention of adolescent pregnancy, among very young girls especially, by learning to identify those at risk of pregnancy, by leading discussion groups, by providing appropriate medical services, and by providing follow-up for contraceptive acceptors. Nurses can aid adolescents in making their contraceptive needs known, reassure them during unfamiliar medical procedures, encourage continued use of the method through regular follow-up, and provide support in the face of disapproval by family members.