Abstract
To compare the knowledge of contraceptive methods as well as to identify factors associated with adequate knowledge among public and private school adolescents. A cross-sectional study comprising 1,594 adolescents aged between 12 and 19 years old from 13 public and five private schools in the city of São Paulo city, Brazil, was carried out from June to December 2003. Schools were randomly selected and students filled out a questionnaire about sociodemographic, reproductive and contraceptive methods. The prevalence ratios were estimated with a 95% confidence interval for each question on their knowledge of contraceptive methods and by school group. Each question correctly answered received a half score, and the cut-off value was 50% of correct answers. Statistical tests utilized were Chi-square and Wilcoxon-Gehan tests and Poisson multiple regression model. Of all respondents, 61% were of females in both school groups. Most students had low socioeconomic condition in public schools while they had mostly high socioeconomic condition in private schools (p<0.001). Nearly 18.6% private and 28.6% public school students were sexually active (p<0.002). In regard to their knowledge, 25.7% of public and 40.8% of private school students had a score equal to or above five. Factors associated with higher knowledge were: being female, at high school of a private school, having high socioeconomic condition, having had sexual intercourse and being older. Knowledge of contraceptive methods was low in both public and private school students. The study results show that both underprivileged as well as high socioeconomic adolescents need to have adequate information about family planning to improve their knowledge and change their behavior.
Highlights
Over the last 20 years teenagers have gained access to a wide variety of sources of sexual information and misinformation
In regard to emergency contraceptive methods, more private school students scored in the question on the mode of use; but this question had low scoring in both school groups (OR=1.43; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.13-1.82)
Private school students scored higher than public students, above the cutoff value (OR=1.59; 95% CI: 1.34-1.88) (Table 3)
Summary
Over the last 20 years teenagers have gained access to a wide variety of sources of sexual information and misinformation. Most studies available assessing adolescent’s knowledge of contraceptive methods approached this issue in a very subjective manner, without exploring the way these methods were used, their side effects, Contraception among adolescent students Martins LBM et al indications and contraindications. Such approach is likely to lead to a flawed understanding of the level of knowledge of this population on birth control[11] and result in a biased assessment of the impact of knowledge on the use of contraceptive methods. The use of contraceptive methods has not been directly associated to one’s knowledge, suggesting other intervening elements that affect this use such as age at first sexual intercourse, time interval for sexual initiation, access to contraceptive methods, steady sexual partner, partner’s objection to the use of contraceptive methods, desire to get pregnant and poor communication between parents and their children concerning sexual issues.[1]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
