Attitudes, behaviors, and knowledge regarding contraceptive use among adolescents in Loudon County, Tennessee

The purpose of this study was to examine the current levels of attitudes, behaviors, and knowledge regarding contraceptive use among adolescents in Loudon County, Tennessee. A voluntary convenience sample (N-185) of teenagers, aged 13 to 18, enrolled in Loudon County public schools were given a 73-item questionnaire, excluding demographic data. The questionnaire was a compilation of two previously developed tools to measure attitudes, behaviors, and knowledge concerning contraceptive use.

The mean age of subjects was 15.2 years with 64 being male and 121 being female. Average age of initiation of intercourse in this sample was 14.1 years. Females were found to have significantly higher knowledge scores than males. Older adolescents were found to be significantly greater users of contraceptives than younger adolescents (70% vs. 48%). A moderately positive correlation was found between favorable attitudes toward contraceptive use and actual use of contraceptives. Peers were the main source of contraceptive information, but parents were the preferred source. There was no significant difference between male and female attitudes toward contraceptive use.