Being on the Safe Side: A Qualitative Study of Condom Use Motivations According to Contraceptive Type among Adolescents in Atlanta, Georgia

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Riley J Steiner, Emory University; Andrea Swartzendruber, University of Georgia; Katherine Cushing, Emory University; Laura M Gaydos, Emory University; Karen Pazol, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta; Michael R Kramer, Emory University; Stephanie Holt, Emory University; Jessica M Sales, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2019-08-01
• Publisher: ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2019 North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology. Published by Elsevier Inc.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpag.2019.02.122
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC AND ADOLESCENT GYNECOLOGY
• Volume: 32
• Issue: 4
• Start Page: 388
• End Page: 394
• Grant/Funding Information: This work was supported by the Doug Kirby Adolescent Sexual Health Research Grant from Indiana University, United States, Professional Development Support Funds from Emory University Laney Graduate School, United States, and Letz Funds from the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education at Emory University Rollins School of Public Health.
• Keywords: Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Pediatrics; Long-acting reversible contraception; Obstetrics & Gynecology; Sexually transmitted infections; Condoms; ACTING REVERSIBLE CONTRACEPTION; Adolescents; Science & Technology; UNINTENDED PREGNANCY; YOUNG-WOMEN; RISK
• Research Categories: Education, Health; Health Sciences, Public Health; Health Sciences, Epidemiology; Biology, Biostatistics; Psychology, Behavioral

Abstract

Study Objective: Quantitative data suggest that adolescent users of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), compared with short-acting methods (pill, patch, ring, depot medroxyprogesterone acetate [DMPA]), might be less likely to use condoms. We qualitatively describe and explain adolescent contraceptive users’ motivations for condom use, including variation according to contraceptive type. Design: Individual, in-depth qualitative interviews, analyzed thematically. Setting: Participants were recruited from public family planning clinics and an adolescent medicine clinic, as well as university and other community settings in Atlanta, Georgia. Participants: Sexually active contraceptive users aged 17-19 years old (n = 30), including LARC (n = 10), DMPA (n = 10), and oral contraceptive (n = 10) users. Results: Of the 30 participants, most (n = 25; 83%) used condoms with their more effective contraceptive method, although 11 of 25 used them inconsistently (44%). Oral contraceptive users were particularly motivated to use condoms for pregnancy prevention, because of concerns about contraceptive method efficacy and a desire to be on “the safe side.” In contrast, LARC users were primarily motivated by sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention. DMPA users’ motivations were more mixed. Across contraceptive type, factors influencing condom use motivations included sexual health education, personal awareness and/or experience, and perceived consequences and risk. Conclusion: Because all participants were using an effective contraceptive method, it is notable that pregnancy prevention was a prominent motivator for using condoms, although LARC users reported STI prevention to be a more important motivation. Parental and school-based sexual health education that clearly addresses STI prevention in addition to pregnancy prevention has the potential to influence condom use motivations and behavior.