Contraceptive use and non-use among teenage girls in a sexually motivated situation

Abstract

This qualitative narrative study examined contraceptive use and non-use in light of the Theory of Planned Behaviour. The purpose of this paper was to understand contraceptive use and non-use among Finnish teenage girls: why do girls use or not use contraception in a sexually motivated situation and how do the determinants of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (intention, attitudes, social norms, self-efficacy and preparatory behaviour) and situational factors affect girls' contraception-related behaviour? The data are comprised of the narratives of 41 girls regarding their experience with sexually motivated situations that involved contraceptive use or non-use. The narratives were analysed with narrative analysis, a categorical-content mode of reading. The findings suggest that, in light of the Theory of Planned Behaviour and its key determinants, attitude, intention and preparatory behaviour, like carrying condoms, having a condom available and discussing safer sex before intercourse, were not alone sufficient for predicting contraceptive use. The crucial element seems to be self-efficacy. This study provides situational information about adolescent girls' contraception-related decision-making and practical implications for health promoters and sex educators.

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the Foundation for Research of the Mannerheim League for Child Welfare and the University of Kuopio, Department of Nursing Science, for financial support for this study.