Knowledge of contraceptive methods among adolescent students

Objective To compare the knowledge of contraceptive methods as well as to identify factors associated with adequate knowledge among public and private school adolescents. Methods A cross-sectional study comprising 1,594 adolescents aged between 12 and 19 years old from 13 public and five private schools in the city of Sao Paulo city, Brazil, was carried out from June to December 2003. Schools were randomly selected and students filled out a questionnaire about sociodemographic, reproductive and contraceptive methods. The prevalence ratios were estimated with a 95% confidence interval for each question on their knowledge of contraceptive methods and by school group. Each question correctly answered received a half score, and the cut-off value was 50% of correct answers. Statistical tests utilized were Chi-square and Wilcoxon-Gehan tests and Poisson multiple regression model. Results Of all respondents, 61% were of females in both school groups. Most students had low socioeconomic condition in public schools while they had mostly high socioeconomic condition in private schools (p < 0.001). Nearly 18.6% private and 28.6% public school students were sexually active (p < 0.002). In regard to their knowledge, 25.7% of public and 40.8% of private school students had a score equal to or above five. Factors associated with higher knowledge were: being female, at high school of a private school, having high socioeconomic condition, having had sexual intercourse and being older. Conclusions knowledge of contraceptive methods was low in both public and private school students. The study results show that both underprivileged as well as high socioeconomic adolescents need to have adequate information about family planning to improve their knowledge and change their behavior.