Interest in Contraceptive Information and Initiation Among Adolescents Hospitalized With Psychiatric Disorders

Adolescents with psychiatric disorders face increased risks for unintended pregnancy. This study examines adolescents hospitalized with psychiatric disorders' interest in contraceptive information and initiation and associated factors.

We enrolled 451 adolescents assigned female at birth, ages 14-17, hospitalized with psychiatric disorders at a Midwestern quaternary children's hospital from November 19, 2021, to March 22, 2023. Participants completed a questionnaire that assessed interest in contraceptive information and contraceptive initiation and explanatory factors. Survey data were linked to data from health records. We examined factors associated with interest in contraceptive information and initiation during hospitalization using logistic and multinomial logistic regression.

Participants' mean age was 16.1 (95% CI: 14.1-18.1). Over half (51.3%) of participants were interested in contraceptive information during hospitalization and 21.4% were interested in contraceptive initiation. The strongest predictors for interest in information about contraceptives and contraceptive initiation were not knowing where to get contraceptives (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.96; 95% CI 1.6-5.5 and aOR 2.85; 95% CI 1.43-5.68, respectively), difficulty getting to contraceptive access (aOR 3.33: 95% CI 1.49-7.4 and aOR 4.72; 95% CI 2.03-10.95, respectively), and ever having sex (aOR 2.91; 95% CI 1.86-4.57 and aOR 2.12; 95% CI 1.22-3.68 respectively).

Interest in contraceptive information and initiation is high among adolescents hospitalized with psychiatric disorders. Sexually active adolescents and adolescents with access barriers were more likely to indicate interest in contraceptive care. Hospitalizations represent opportunities for important reproductive health services for adolescents with psychiatric disorders.