Differences in Contraceptive Choice Among Female Adolescents at a State-Funded Family Planning Clinic

Our objective was to examine differences in contraceptive choice among female adolescents from low socioeconomic backgrounds both before and after an appointment for reproductive health care at a community-based, state-funded, family planning clinic. This study utilized data collected from 4237 charts from young women attending a family planning clinic. Logistic regression was utilized to examine variables associated with the following main questions: (1) the selection of use or nonuse of contraception; (2) the selection of barrier versus hormonal contraception; and (3) within those who selected hormonal contraception, the preference for injectable versus oral hormonal methods. We found that race, age, school status, and type of health insurance were all associated with contraceptive decision-making among female adolescents. Some but not all of these associations remained after the clinic visit, which included no-cost contraception.