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).