Prapasri Thepnarong.. Factors associated with decision to use contraceptive method among adolescents in an urban community of Bangkok. Master's Degree(Human Reproduction and Population Planning). Mahidol University. Mahidol University Library and Knowledge Center. : Mahidol University, 2014.
Factors associated with decision to use contraceptive method among adolescents in an urban community of Bangkok
Abstract:
Sexual relationships among adolescents have become an important public health issue. If these relationships are not planned and no protection is used, they may lead to unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections which affect not only adolescent health but also the socioeconomic status of the country. This research was a cross-sectional study with the objective to study factors associated with the decision to use contraceptive methods among adolescents in an urban community. The sample was adolescent girls aged 15-19 years old who lived in an urban community of Bangkok. The data were collected by interviewing 153 adolescent girls during 1 November 31 December 2012 using constructed questionnaires. Descriptive statistics used were frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations, Chisquare test, Fishers exact test and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to test the association between these variables with a significance level of p<0.05. The results showed that 92.8% of adolescent girls had ever engaged in sexual intercourse. All of them used contraceptive methods which were divided into 2 groups. First were those who used the folk methods, i.e, coitus interruptus, or periodic abstinence with or without use of condom. Second were those who used the modern method of oral contraceptive pills (OCP). About 70% of adolescent girls used the folk method and 30% used the modern method. Factors which were significantly associated with type of contraceptive methods used(p<0.05) were age, education, occupation, average monthly allowance, residence, marital status of parents, fathers occupation and income, mothers occupation, and knowledge about contraception. Adolescent girls who used the modern method when compared to those who used the folk method, were significantly older, had higher education, better knowledge about contraception, worked as an employee, had more monthly allowance, and lived alone or with friends, Their parents were more likely to be separated or divorced, but had less income and worked as employee (fathers) or housewife (mother). When logistic regression analysis was applied, factors which were significantly associated with contraceptive methods were education and average monthly allowance (p<0.05). In conclusion, almost all adolescent girls in an urban community of Bangkok, had already had sexual intercourse and were using contraceptive methods. Factors which were significantly associated with the decision in using which contraceptive methods were education and average monthly allowance. Adolescent girls should have more sex education, especially about contraception, to change to a more reliable and protective contraceptive method