Use of long-acting contraceptive methods in adolescent women in hospitals in Honduras

Abstract

Background: Approximately 80% of pregnancies in adolescents are considered involuntary, 95% of these occur in developing countries. Among the characteristics of these young women are: endless social adversities, early maturation, premature sexual activity, low educational level, absence of partner, maternal history of pregnancy in adolescence and, lack of knowledge/access to contraceptive methods. Objective: To determine the use of long-acting contraceptive methods (MLA) among adolescents in abortion condition in four hospitals in Honduras, January 2017-July 2019. Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study using the perinatal computer system (SIP) abortion module (SIPA) database. It included patient records of 19 years and younger. Pre-established variables are described in the SIP sheet (demographics, pathological, obstetric history, contraceptive use, desire for contraception and method provision), analyzing frequencies and percentages. Results: Of 1117 registered patients, 84.9% (949) were in the age range 16-19 years, 24.7% (276) had had at least one gestation; 72.4% (809) received family planning counseling/information, 75.5% (843) requested a method and 53.1% (448) initiated one; 84.9% (949) had not used contraceptives prior to the current pregnancy. Discussion: SIPA information at participating institutions shows the description of contraceptive use in adolescent abortion, where a quarter of them had previously developed pregnancies. The need for effective information on contraceptive use and the existence of a gap between demand and delivery of contraceptives in the included health units, must be urgently addressed.