An oral contraceptive perception scale for female adolescents

This study sought to develop the initial psychometric properties of a female adolescent oral contraceptive perception scale. Based on qualitative data, a 39-item scale of perceived benefits and barriers was developed, reviewed by adolescence experts and adolescents, and voluntarily completed by 407 female adolescents enrolled in family planning clinics. After item analysis, 15 items were deleted. Maximum likelihood factor analysis with varimax rotation yielded two barrier (relationship-oriented and oral contraceptive regimen) and four benefit (relationship-oriented, pregnancy prevention related to self, pregnancy prevention related to others, personal responsibility) factors that accounted for 53% of the variance. The scale had acceptable reliability (alpha coefficients ranged from 0.71 to 0.87). The scale should be beneficial to further research in this area.