Factors Predicting Intention to Use Contraceptive Implants Among Pregnant Adolescents in Lower Southern Thailand: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Repeat pregnancy among adolescents is a major problem which affects maternal health, families, and the country. The repeated pregnant adolescent rate in Thailand is still higher than 10%, the goal of the Ministry of Public Health. It has been found that the occurrence of repeat pregnancies among adolescents is higher in lower southern Thailand than in any other region of the country. This cross-sectional study examined the level of intention to use contraceptive implants and its influencing factors among pregnant adolescents. Participants were 319 pregnant adolescents who received antenatal care at three secondary care hospitals and one tertiary care hospital in lower southern Thailand. The instruments used to collect data included eight questionnaires: (1) Demographic and Obstetric Data Form, (2) Attitude Toward Contraceptive Implants Questionnaire, (3) Subjective Norm Toward Contraceptive Implants Questionnaire, (4) Perceived Behavioral Control Toward Contraceptive Implants Questionnaire, (5) Knowledge about Contraceptive Implants Questionnaire, (6) Life Goal Setting Scale, (7) Fear of Side Effects of Contraceptive Implants Questionnaire, and (8) Intention to Use Contraceptive Implants Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation test, and simultaneous multiple regression analysis.The result showed that intention to use contraceptive implants was at a moderate level. Perceived behavioral control toward contraceptive implants was the strongest predictor overall, which together with attitude toward contraceptive implants and subjective norm toward contraceptive implants, significantly explained 34.4% of the variance in intention to usecontraceptive implants. The results of this study could serve as a basis for developing nursing programs to promote intention to use contraceptive implants in pregnant adolescents in lower southern Thailand by providing them with positive attitudes and perceived behavioral control regarding intention to use contraceptive implants, along with coordination with family members who support the use of contraceptive implants.