Factors in adolescent contraceptive use

This study examined three variables--knowledge of contraception, self-esteem and religiosity-and the relationship of each variable to the use of contraception among unmarried adolescent women. A questionnaire designed to measure contraceptive knowledge, self-esteem and religiosity was administered to 28 pregnant, unmarried adolescents and to 31 unmarried, never-pregnant, adolescent contraceptive users. A t-Test was used to measure the significance of the relationship of the three independent variables to the dependent variable, contraceptive use. Upon analysis of the data, no significant difference was found between either group in relation to their knowledge of contraception, self-esteem scores or religious attitudes; however, some additional data were gathered from the research tool that may provide areas for future investigation.