DESCONTINUAÇÃO DE MÉTODOS CONTRACEPTIVOS NA ADOLESCÊNCIA, SALVADOR, 2000-2001

Abstract

Pregnancy during youth is a health trouble around the world. Although contraceptive methods are available, teenagers interrupt their use. Literature states there is no lack of information about the consequences of sexual intercourse without protection, but youngsters have not showed a practice coherent with their knowledge. We evaluated the interruption of contraceptive methods and the reasons for doing so by a cross-sectional study at the lnstitute of Perinatology of Bahia, 324 teenagers included. lnformation was caught about the contraceptive methods they used, interruption, and the reason for stopping. 45,85% of the teenagers interrupted the use of the contraceptive. The contraceptive with highest risk of being interrupted was the condom. The relative risks of condom and lUD stopping when compared to all the others were high. Educational programs developed until now have showed information gets well to teenagers, but they have not stimulated behavioral changes. Educational programs should aim to recognize the value of teenagers so that they can play central roles in their destiny.