STUD Y O N KNOWLEDG E AN D US E O F CONTRACEPTIVE S AMONGTEENAG E PREGNANTMOTHERSATATERTIAR Y CAR E HOSPITA

Abstract

OBJECTIVES : To assess the contraceptive knowledge and use among teenage pregnant mothers at a tertiary care hospital. METHOD : A cross sectional descriptive study using a pre tested interviewer administered questionnaire. Al l teenage pregnant mothers attending to the ante natal clinic of the professorial unit at the D e Soyza Hospital for Women were recruited to the study. Study was conducted for a period of 8 months from December 2005. Approval was obtained from the ethical clearance committee at the Faculty of Medicine, Colombo. Results were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences for windos (SPSS) version 11. RESULTS : 150 teenage pregnant mothers participated to the study. 40.1% of the study population had no awareness of any contraceptive method. 56.5% of population had knowledge on oral contraceptive pills (OCP), while 52.1%, 34% had awareness for condoms and depot medroxy progesterone acetate (DMPA ) respectively 0.7% had knowledge on emergency contraception. Only 30 (19.9%) of the population had used any modern method of contraception. 16 (10.6%) used O C P and 5 (3.4%) used condoms, 8 (4.8%) 8c 3 (2%) of mothers has used DMP A and emergency contraceptive pills respectively. 21 teenage mothers (13.9%) form the total population had failed their contraception. Improper use 17 (68%), unavailability when required 5 (20%) and failure of the method 2 (8%) were the main reasons for conceiving during contraceptive use. 77 (51%) of the population who wanted contraception they were unable to use due to Unawareness 43 (55.8%), no access 2 (2.6%), worried about side effects 20 (26%), reluctant to use by wife to10 (13%) and reluctant to use by husband 6 (7.8%) were the main reasons for not using a contraceptive method, pregnancies 75.5% of the pregnancies were unplanned. 4% of the had attempted termination of the pregnancy. 3.2% of mothers have decided to give the child for adoption. 71.8% of the study population has decided to use DMP A as their future contraceptive method after confinement. CONCLUSION S AN D RECOMMENDATIONS : There is poor awareness and knowledge of modern contraceptive methods among teenage mothers. Mos t of the pregnancies were unplanned. There is a need for improving awareness, knowledge and proper use of contraception among teenage couples.