birth control
Family communication and teenagers' contraceptive use.

Furstenberg FF Jr, Herceg-Baron R, Shea J, Webb D.

Improving communication about sex and birth control between parents and their children has often been cited as a means to encourage young people to use contraceptives more effectively. In an attempt to test this hypothesis, we interviewed 290 adolescents at family planning clinics in southeastern Pennsylvania three times in the course of 15 months about their communication with their families and their use of contraceptives. At the time of their first clinic visit, two-fifths of the teenagers said that their mothers knew that they had gone to the clinic; this proportion rose to almost three-fifths six months later and to about three-quarters at the end of 15 months. However, the proportion of teenagers who said that they had discussed sex or birth control with their mothers remained almost the same; the proportion who said that they would never discuss such topics with their mothers also remained fairly constant. The teenagers whose mothers knew of their clinic attendance at the time of their first visit were no more likely to have had extensive conversations with their mothers about sex or contraception than were the teenagers whose mothers found out afterwards. Among a subsample of the mothers of these young women, fewer than one-third said that they had ever discussed their daughters' sexual activity with them. There was only a modest level of correspondence between the mothers' responses and their daughters' replies; for the most part, the mothers thought that they were much more communicative about sex and birth control than their daughters perceived them to be.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=6489510&dopt=Abstract birth control



birth control
Adolescents' communication styles and learning about birth control.

De Pietro R, Allen RL.

Adolescents have different communication styles for acquiring information about birth control from a mass medium--interactant or noninteractant, depending on whether they involve communication with others in the process of media use. Three interactant styles are identified: a home-oriented style, where communication is primarily with immediate members and friends; a peer-oriented style, where communication is primarily with own-age peers and personal friends; and multi-source user, where communication is with more than one cluster of sources and the majority of one's communication is not with any particular source. The noninteractant style identified is a media-oriented style, where the adolescent relies exclusively on the mass media for information acquisition without communicating with anyone about the content or process of learning. Data suggest that the interactant style, especially for the multi-source user, is most beneficial for new learning. Gender and the presence of siblings at home are important moderators of the relationship between communication styles and knowledge of birth control. For example, females with a media-oriented style know more about birth control than females with a home-oriented style. Implications of the findings for the delivery of birth control information to adolescents are discussed.

PIP: Adolescents have different communication styles for acquiring information about birth control from a mass medium--interactant or noninteractant, depending on whether they involve communication with others in the process of media use. 3 interactant styles are identified: a home-oriented style, where communication is primarily with immediate members and friends; a peer-oriented style, where communication is primarily with own-age peers and personal friends; and multi-source user, where communication is with more than 1 cluster of sources and the majority of one's communication is not with any particular source. The noninteractant style identified ia a media-oriented style, where the adolescent relies exlusively on the mass media for information acquistion without communicating with anyone about the content or process of learning. Data suggest that the interactant style, especially for the multi-source user, is most beneficial for new learning. Gender and the presence of siblings at home are important moderators of the relationship between communication styles and knowledge of birth control. For example, females with a media-oriented style know more about birth control than females with a home-orfiented style. Implication of the findings for the delivery of birth control information to adolescents include the fact that a relationship between communication styles and knowledge holds for only certain subgroups of adolescents, suggesting the need for multiple information and education strategies. Futhermore, there may be restrictions on the ability of some adolescents to change from a noninteractant communication style about birth control to an interactant style. Future researchers may wish to consider different measures of contraceptive knowledge or other areas. Greater focus might be placed on topics that are less gender-specific e.g. drug or alcohol use.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=6516932&dopt=Abstract birth control



birth control
A sense-making approach to understanding adolescents' selection of health information sources.

De Pietro R, Clark NM.

The authors propose that information sources are best understood as constructed by individuals in an attempt to find answers to questions of immediate relevance. Contact profiles, or patterns of source use for particular information, determine what constitutes a source for an individual. The study explores how adolescents acquire and use health information. Data analyses based on a probability sample of 200 adolescents identified nine contact profiles and supported four study hypotheses. Contact profiles differ according to health topics and are related to message sending and seeking regarding human sexuality and birth control. Adolescents with peer-media, home-oriented or multi-source contact profiles about human sexuality and birth control were more likely than others to be the peer advisors on this topic, and those with peer-media and multi-source profiles the ones more likely to be the information seekers about it. Contact profiles are also related to adolescents' health decision making capacity. Adolescents with peer-media and multi-source profiles for human sexuality and birth control information and those with home-oriented profiles for alcohol and smoking information engaged in more health decision making steps than those with other profiles. Finally, contact profiles are also related to awareness and contact with new information sources. Adolescents with peer-oriented and multi-source profiles were more likely than others to be aware of and have contacted a new peer education program in the school.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=6526650&dopt=Abstract birth control



birth control
Contraceptive use and perceptions of chance and ability of conceiving in women electing abortion.

Klein PM.

A convenient sample of 32 women seeking abortion was studied to determine the relationship between a woman's use of birth control and her perception of her chance and ability of conceiving. Subjects were between the ages of 16 and 29 years, white, unmarried, and gravida one. The Consistency Chance and Ability inventory, a self-report questionnaire, was completed by each subject. The data show a relationship between a woman's use of birth control and her perception of her chance and ability of conceiving. How nurses can assist women in making choices about contraceptive use is discussed.

PIP: A convenient sample of 32 was obtained from a population of women electing abortion to determine the relationship between a woman's use of birth control and her perception of her chance and ability of conceiving. The sample was comprised of white, unmarried, gravida 1 women who were 16-29 years of age. Their educational level ranged from completion of grade 10 through 4 years of college. Socioeconomic status, as measured by Hollingshead 2-factor Index of Social Position, ranged from a high of 2 to a low of 5. The Consistency, Chance, and Ability Inventory (CCAI) was developed for this study. It seeks information in 4 areas: demographic; methods of contraception used during the past year and consistency of use; a woman's perception of her chance of conceiving before she became pregnant; and a woman's perception of her ability of conceiving before she became pregnant. Consistency of contraceptive use ranged from 3-15 in a possible range of 3-15. 13 women indicated a low consistency (scores 3-4); 18 indicated a medium consistency (5-13); and 1 indicated a high consistency (14-15). Scores for the younger group ranged from 3-12; scores for the older group ranged from 3-15. Perception of chance of conceiving ranged from 28-48 in a possible range of 10-50. The perception of chance of conceiving and consistency of use of birth control correlated at rs=0.4094. The perception of ability of conceiving and consistency of use of birth control correlated at rs=0.3595. The data showed that as perceived chance of conceiving increased, so did consistency in contraceptive use. As perceived ability of conceiving increased, so again did consistency in use of birth control. As age increased, there was a positive correlation between age and perception of chance of conceiving. There was a positive correlation between perception of chance of conceiving and perception of ability of conceiving. The use of contraceptive methods, particularly oral contraceptives, was cited more frequently by women who were above the median on the Chance scale and by women who were above the median on Ability scale. 78% of the sample reported not using birth control when they conceived; 34.4% indicated that they did not use contraception during the past year. Nurses, who often have contact with women who are at risk or potential risk for an unwanted pregnancy, need to asses how women perceive their chance and ability of conceiving.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=6553106&dopt=Abstract birth control



birth control
Birth control discontinuance as a diffusion process.

Porter EG.

This paper applies the diffusion of innovations model to the study of the birth control discontinuance of first-time users in the Dominican Republic. Two sets of factors are examined: social characteristics of the adopters are used to test Rogers's and Shoemaker's contention that discontinuers have more traditional values than continuers; and the adoption decision process is analyzed to identify the relationship of communication factors to discontinuance. Although number of children and experience of method problems were the major determinants of discontinuance, unfavorable information from friends and other birth control users was a significant factor. Rumor was found to have little effect on a women's decision to continue or discontinue.

PIP: The diffusion of innovations model provides a general framework for describing the rate of growth of acceptance for a new idea or pattern of behavior within a social system. It is here applied to the study of birth control discontinuance among a sample of 1st-time users in the Dominican Republic. Social characteristics and communication variables are examined as explanatory factors for discontinuance. The 1st set, namely socioeconomic status, education and rural-urban residence, are used to test Rogers' and Shoemaker's contention that discontinuers have more traditional values than continuers. The multivariate effect of these factors is tested by a stepwise logistic regression analysis. The communication variables are intended to measure the effect of unfavorable information from unidentified sources compared to that channelled through identified social networks. A short follow-up period of 4 months permits an examination of the way the women communicated after adopting birth control. To test the strength of the relationships between social and communication variables, each set is tested against the effect of adding the variable number of children to the model. The effect of this factor alone on discontinuance is significant; yet, even when it is removed, it appears that the interaction between place of residence and socioeconomic status is most significant in explaining discontinuance. The data provide only weak support for Roger's and Shoemaker's thesis, as number of children and experience of method problems, not underlying cultural values, emerge as the major determinants of discontinuance in this study. Moreover, unfavorable information from friends and other birth control users carry greater weight in encouraging a woman to discontinue her use of a contraceptive method than does favorable information in persuading her to continue. Such findings establish the importance of communication credibility for effective conveyance of an unfavorable message. It is concluded that more attention should be paid to the interpersonal networks that channel such information.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=6701952&dopt=Abstract birth control



birth control
Nursing protocol for diaphragm contraception.

Pyle CJ.

The diaphragm is becoming the more popular method of birth control in the United States. When used properly, it is a safe and effective alternative for those women who are unable to take birth control pills or prefer another method. The protocol presented here is a comprehensive approach to diaphragm fitting, client instruction and follow-up. The practitioner utilizing such an approach will insure a safe and highly effective method of birth control to those patients who choose the diaphragm as their method of contraception.

PIP: Diaphragm use-effectiveness can be enhanced if an approach utilizing thorough instruction, fitting, and follow-up is followed by the contraceptive provider. Contraindications to diaphragm use include allergy to rubber or latex, repeated urinary tract infections, lack of personnel trained in fitting diaphragms or of time for proper fitting and instruction, some physical abnormalities, lack of a palpable notch behind the symphysis pubis, inability to understand the technique of insertion, and inability to carry out proper hygienic measures in caring for the diaphragm. The history should be used to assess probability of compliance and discover possible contraindications to diaphragm use. The client should be instructed in anatomy and physiology of the vagina and cervix, mechanism of action as a barrier method, importance of using spermicide with the diaphragm, length of time the diaphragm must be left in place, possibility of slippage during intercourse, avoidance of petroleum products, proper care, checking for tears and holes, possible side effects, and diaphragm insertion. The largest comfortable size should be selected, and proper fit checked after client has walked around room and exercised for 5 minutes. Most women can use either the coil spring or arc spring diaphragm comfortable. The client should be able to insert the diaphragm properly, assess for placement, and remove it without difficulty. The client should return in 2 weeks for a recheck of the diaphragm's fit and pllacement. The client should insert the diaphragm each night for 2 weeks and should wear the diaphragm to the clinic visit. Some practitioners prescribe an extra diaphragm to be carried in the purse for increased compliance and spontaneity. The diaphragm should be checked annually or after loss or gain of more than 15 pounds, a vaginal delivery or 2nd trimester abortion, or lower abdominal surgery.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=6709245&dopt=Abstract birth control



birth control
[Contraception in young people]

[Article in Slovak]

Fabian R.

PIP: A survey of contraceptive practice was conducted by the gynecological and obstetrics department of the local National Institute of Health in Czechoslovakia. 2,080 women in 7 middle schools in the city of Zvolen responded. 1,044 (50.2%) acknowledged acquaintance with some form of contraception, whereas 1,036 (49.8%) had never even heard of it. Of the 331 students claiming to be sexually active, only 32 (9.6%) reported using any method of contraception, i.e., 13 practiced coitus interruptus; 11 used condoms; 5 took birth control pills; 2 used IUDs; and 1 employed the rhythm method. 75 sexually active women reported ignorance of contraceptive methods, although all the sexually active respondents were exposed to the risk of pregnancy, which did occur in 33 cases. Of the 33 pregnanies, 18 had abortions, 8 were still pregnant, and 7 gave birth. The conclusion was drawn that, although knowledge of birth control methods was good, the existing education in responsible parenting was insufficient, and it was suggested that instruction in birth control and responsible parenting be instituted during regular class hours on the middle school level.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=6722917&dopt=Abstract birth control