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Abstract
Objectives Our study aimed to explore the association between the use of effective contraceptive methods and access to different contraceptive services, as well as to describe accessibility-related obstacles when using contraceptive services and satisfaction with those services.
Methods From a population-based cross-sectional study carried out in 2004 (response rate 53.8%), the data of 16- to 24-year-old women requiring contraception (N = 868) were analysed. Factors associated with the use of effective contraceptive methods and, specifically, hormonal methods, were explored using multiple logistic regression analysis.
Results Effective contraception was used by 75.1% of the respondents. The use of effective contraceptive methods was associated with school-based sexuality education (adjusted prevalence odds ratio 2.69; 95% confidence interval 1.32 − 5.50), visiting a youth-friendly clinic (YFC) (1.82; 1.03–3.23) or a private gynaecologist (2.08; 1.11–3.92). The use of hormonal methods was additionally associated with being a native Estonian speaker and visiting a family doctor. More than half of the respondents reported some obstacle in accessing contraceptive services. The highest satisfaction ratings were given to YFCs.
Conclusions Steps to promote the use of services that are youth-friendly and associated with better uptake of effective contraceptive methods are needed among all 16- to 24-year-old women.
Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.
The survey was supported by the Estonian Science Foundation [grant 5456], the Estonian Research Council [SF0180044s09], research funding IUT [IUT5-1] of the Estonian Ministry of Education, Finnish National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health (STAKES), and the Baltic Sea Task Force [PHC030].