Predictors of contraception knowledge and use among postpartum adolescents in El Salvador

Objective This study was undertaken to describe demographics and contraceptive familiarity and use among postpartum adolescents in El Salvador. Study design Questionnaire-guided interviews were conducted in Spanish with 50 postpartum adolescents at an urban, public hospital in El Salvador. Open-ended questions included assessments of education, partnership status, and contraceptive knowledge and use patterns. Results The median age of subjects was 17 years, 84% were nulliparous, 80% had partners, and 6% were married. Eighty-four percent of the women reported contraception knowledge and 18% reported contraception use. Educational experience and literacy predicted contraceptive knowledge (P = .008 and .001, respectively), but not use. After delivery and postpartum contraception education, 58% of the subjects stated intention to use contraception. Having a partner and living with him were predictors of intent to use contraception (P = .001 and .002, respectively). Being single negatively predicted intention to use contraception (P = .001). Conclusion Education and literacy predicted contraceptive knowledge; however, contraceptive knowledge did not predict contraceptive use. Adolescent contraception use depends on more than just contraceptive knowledge.