Purpose
To examine parental acceptability of contraceptive methods offered confidentially to their adolescent daughter.
Methods
A random sample of 261 parents/guardians with a daughter between 12–17 completed a telephone survey examining the relationship between parental acceptability of seven contraceptive methods with adolescents’ likelihood to have sex, parenting beliefs, parents’ sexual health as teens, sexually transmitted infection (STI) knowledge, and demographic factors.
Results
Acceptability was highest for oral contraceptive pills (59%), and lowest for intrauterine device (IUD) (18%). Parental acceptance of teens’ autonomy was significantly associated with increased acceptability of all methods. Parental knowledge of STIs was poor and 51% found it acceptable for clinicians to provide their sexually active teen with condoms.
Conclusion
Conclusions: Parents were more accepting of OCPs and condoms, compared to IUDs and implants. Parental recognition of their teen’s autonomy was associated with greater parental acceptability of clinicians providing their adolescent with contraceptives (regardless of the specific type of method being offered).
Objectives
To explore the knowledge and attitudes that Latino parents have about confidential health services for their teens and identify factors that may influence those attitudes.
Methods
Latino parents of teens (12-17 years old) were randomly selected from a large health maintenance organization and a community-based hospital to participate in one-hour focus groups. We conducted eight focus groups in the parent's preferred language. Spanish and English transcripts were translated and coded with inter-coder reliability > 80%.
Results
There were 52 participants (30 mothers, 22 fathers). There is a wide range of parental knowledge and attitudes about confidential health services for teens. Parents felt they had the right to know about their teens’ health but were uncomfortable discussing sexual topics and thought confidential teen-clinician discussions would be helpful. Factors that influence parental acceptability of confidential health services include: parental trust in the clinician, clinician's interpersonal skills; clinical competencies, ability to partner with parents and teens and clinician-teen gender concordance. Most parents preferred teens’ access to confidential services than having their teens forego needed care.
Conclusions
This study identifies several underlying issues that may influence Latino youth's access to confidential health services. Implications for clinical application and future research are discussed.
Conclusions:Nulliparous adolescents go through a complex decisionmaking process regarding the adoption and continued use of IUC. This process is influenced by multiple factors, including the medical provider. Findings from this study may be used by medical professionals in the future to effectively counsel and support adolescents regarding use of IUC.
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