Influence de facteurs psycho-socio-cognitifs sur l'utilisation de la contraception a l'adolescence

Abstract

The influence of psycho-socio-cognitive factors on the use of contraceptives during adolescence An increase in premarital sex associated with a continually lowering rate in the use of contraceptive methods among teenagers have led the authors to undertake a correlational study to determine the influence of selected psychological, social and cognitive factors on the use of contraceptives during adolescence. A sample of adolescents (509 girls and 563 boys) was selected randomly from six urban high schools of the greater Montreal area. Sexual and contraceptive profiles of these adolescents revealed that 41.3% of the boys and 38.6% of the girls were sexually active. Among sexually active teenagers, more than 70% had used a contraceptive when having their first sexual intercourse. The use of contraceptives among the female subjects depended to a greater degree on psychological and social factors, whereas, for boys, cognitive and social elements were the dominating factors. The results of this research demonstrate the importance of proposing more creative ways of teaching and a more active role of nurses with young teenagers. The very young age at which the teenagers begin their sexual life is a major indication that counseling on sexuality and contraception should involve more clarification of knowledge and feelings for this target group.