Adolescents' Contraceptive Choice in the Immediate Postpartum Period: A Cohort Study
Elaine Meireles Castro Maia1, Raquel Autran Coelho Peixoto2, Francisco Herlânio Costa Carvalho2
1Department of Obstetrics, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Study Objective:
To assess contraceptive preferences, acceptance, continuity, and satisfaction with contraceptive use among postpartum adolescents who desired contraception in Fortaleza, Brazil.
Design:
This prospective observational study included 166 postpartum adolescents (≤48 hours after delivery) at a public hospital in Brazil between November 2019 and March 2022. Participants were interviewed twice: before discharge (in person) and 6 months after delivery (via telephone). Pearson's chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests assessed associations between categorical variables and satisfaction with long-acting contraceptives (LARCs). Logistic regression identified factors influencing early contraception initiation.
Results:
The most preferred methods in the immediate postpartum period were implants (45.8%), intrauterine devices (IUDs) (34.3%), injectables (16.3%), and pills (3.0%). Nearly half (47.6%) initiated LARCs before discharge. Six months postdelivery, 81.3% were using a contraceptive method. Among implant users, continuity was 100%, and for IUDs initiated before discharge, 70%. A higher satisfaction level was observed in LARC users compared to non-LARC users.
Conclusion:
The postpartum period is an ideal time to offer safe contraceptive options. LARC methods, particularly implants and IUDs, are highly valued by adolescents, showing high satisfaction and continuity rates.
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