[Methods and difficulties in using contraception prevention Pass by the youth in the Maine-et-Loire]

The assessment made by the regional council of the Pays de la Loire states a favorable review by the health professionals and Pass referents. What about the beneficiaries? The main objective is to assess the methods and difficulties in using contraception prevention Pass by the eligible youth aware of the device attending school in the Maine-et-Loire.

This is a quantitative, retrospective cohort and descriptive study carried out by individual and anonymous questionnaire. The inclusion criteria are students attending Maine-et-Loire schools who agreed to raise awareness about the Pass.

683 students were included. One out of two, girls mainly (P = 0.008), from the state schools and CFA-MFR (Apprentice Training Centers-Rural Family Houses), and from vocational education (P = 0.005) were aware and knew about Pass. 56% heard of it but only 41% of youth had received an explanation. 10% of the youth got hold of the Pass by themselves. 14% used it, mainly to receive contraceptives (condoms) without prescription. 61% of the girls and 44% of the boys felt they did not need it, with a significant difference between genders (P = 10–5). Twice as many girls (11%) as boys thought they could directly asked their general practitioner (GP) for contraceptives or a screening test (P = 0.005). One out of four thought it was easier to use the Pass than going to a CPEF (Family Planning Center), especially for the rural students (P = 0.02).

One should review the collective information given to a population that seems less affected or in need of it. It would be useful to offer new communication mediums that match the youth behaviour, and one that is more explicit so as to help them visiting appropriate referenced medical units and to increase offering this device since this is free of charge for condoms, to encourage young people to have their GP or CEGGID prescribe screening tests and expand the Pass outreach to adults who are over 20.