This study investigated factors contributing to adolescent mothers' non-utilisation of contraceptives in the Piet Retief (Mkhondo) area. Contraceptives, emergency contraceptives and termination of pregnancy services are available free of charge. Nevertheless the number of adolescent mothers continues to increase in this area. Structured questionnaires were completed by 107 adolescent mothers. Most respondents (70,0%) received no sex education prior to their pregnancies, and were not knowledgeable about contraceptives. Subsequent to the birth of their babies, only 59,81% used contraceptives, risking further pregnancies. Adolescents, from the age of 12, should receive sex education. Availability of contraceptives during weekends could help adolescents to postpone their pregnancies. Health education should be given to the mothers in the Piet Retief (Mkhondo) area so that they can provide more effective sex education (including contraception) to their daughters. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

Bakgrund: Kvinnors behov av modern familjeplanering är inte tillgodosett. Samhällsekonomiska vinster finns att hämta om fler använder långverkande reversibla preventivmedel (LARC), i stället för mindre effektiva kortverkande metoder. Det finns ett behov av förbättrade arbetssätt för att kvinnor genom ett välinformerat beslut ska kunna välja effektiva preventivmedel. Syfte: Att undersöka om reproduktiv anamnes och sociodemografiska faktorer har en inverkan på valet av LARC vid strukturerad respektive sedvanlig preventivmedelsrådgivning, bland ungdomar och unga vuxna (18–24 år) på ungdomsmottagningar i Stockholmsregionen. Metod: Kvantitativ ansats. Klusterrandomiserad studie och substudie av LOWE-studien. Resultat: Planerad användning av LARC innan besöket (OR 45.78, 95% CI 23,54–89,02) och strukturerad preventivmedelsrådgivning (intervention) (OR 3,67, 95% CI 2,24–5,97) var de variabler som visade sig vara påverka valet av LARC. Slutsats: En trolig anledning till att sociodemografiska faktorer och reproduktiv anamnes inte påverkar valet av LARC i denna studie kan vara att preventivmedelsanvändning är ett mer komplext område. Den information som ges vid preventivmedelsrådgivning har en inverkan på majoriteten av alla patienter, men rådande samhällsnormer styr valet av preventivmedel tillsammans med paradigmskiften inom SRHR. Klinisk tillämpbarhet: Resultatet var av klinisk signifikans för vårdpersonal på ungdomsmottagningar och kan kliniskt tillämpas för en fördjupad kunskap kring bidragande faktorer för valet av LARC. / Background: Women’s need for modern family planning is not met. Socioeconomic benefits can be obtained if less-safe methods are replaced by long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC). There is a need for improvement within the work to enable women to choose effective contraceptives by a well-informed decision. Aim: To investigate if reproductive history and socioeconomic factors have an impact on the choice of LARC under the influence of customary and structured contraceptive counselling, among adolescents and young adults (18-24) at youth clinics in Stockholm, Sweden. Method: Quantitative method. Cluster randomized controlled intervention study, and a substudy of LOWE. Result: Planned use of LARC before the visit (OR 45.78, 95% CI 23,54–89,02) and structured contraceptive counselling (intervention) (OR 3,67, 95% CI 2,24–5,97) was the variables that influenced the choice of LARC. Conclusion: A likely reason why sociodemographic factors and reproductive history did not influence the choice of LARC, could be that contraceptive use is a part of a more complex context. The information provided in contraceptive counselling has an influence on the majority of all patients, but current societal norms control the choice of contraception, as well as paradigm shifts within SRHR. External validity: The result was of clinical significance for staff at youth clinics and can be clinically applied for in-depth knowledge of influencing factors for the choice of LARC.

Introduction: In recent years, high quality contraceptive care for adolescents has shifted away from tiered effectiveness counseling and toward youth-friendly, patient-centered counseling (YFPCCC). YFPCCC is essential in the South, which has higher rates of sexual activity, lower rates of contraception use, and higher teen birth rates. This study examined Southern clinics’ characteristics which support YFPCCC and youth’s perceptions of the contraceptive care they receive. Methods: This mixed methods study examined secondary data collected in two surveys and primary data collected through key-informant interviews. The first survey examined clinic characteristics impacting YFPCCC, and the second survey examined adolescents’ (aged 16-24) perspectives of their care. For each survey, outcome measures were dichotomized and examined through logistic regression models. Lastly, interviews with administrators at FQHCs and HDs in AL and SC and examined the facilitators and barriers to providing YFPCCC in these clinics. Results: FQHCs were 89% less likely to notify youth of their right to confidentiality (aOR 0.11, 95% CI (0.05, 0.26)) and 80% less likely to notify youth of their right to consent to care (aOF 0.20, 95% CI (0.10, 0.40)). Non-Hispanic Black youth were 47% less likely to receive patient-centered contraceptive care (aOR 0.53, 95% CI (0.40, 0.70)). Minor youth (ages 16-17) were 34% less likely to receive patient-centered contraceptive care (ages 20-24) (aOR 0.66, 95% CI (0.45, 0.98)). Clinic administrators noted the continued use of tiered effectiveness counseling. SC administrators noted that minor youth were allowed to consent to receiving the implant but could not consent to removing it. Discussion: Overall, clinic capacity to provide YFPCCC varied by clinic type, with FQHCs less likely to have notify youth of their rights to consent to and receive confidential contraceptive care. The receipt of YFPCCC varied by youth’s age and race/ethnicity, with minors and non-Hispanic Black youth being less likely to report YFPCCC. Clinic administrators noted that they continue to use the tiered effectiveness model of counseling, which may inadvertently pressure or coerce youth. To improve their capacity to provide YFPCCC, clinics should enhance their policies protecting consent and confidentiality and ensure that their providers are trained in patient-centered contraceptive care for youth.

ABSTRACT Background: The Rwandan government has set family planning (FP) as one of the goals and strategies to improve the health of the population. However, unmet needs for modern contraceptive methods are still a problem, as is the variance of modern contraceptive use among the five regions of Rwanda.   Aim: This study aimed at assessing key factors that contribute to the variance of modern contraceptive use between five regions of Rwanda. Methods: This study was a secondary analysis of the Rwanda Demographic health survey, 2010. A total of 492 clusters (urban/rural), composed by 12,792 households were selected in the survey; 13,790 women of reproductive age were systematically selected from selected households and interviewed about maternal and reproductive health issues. 6834 married women or living with their partners at the time of the survey were selected for this study. Results: Socio-economic and demographic characteristics of women, access to family planning (FP) information and women’s empowerment were associated with the variance of modern contraceptive use between the regions. Women’s empowerment was positively associated with modern contraceptive use in all regions. Access to information was associated with modern contraceptive use in all regions except in the North region (AOR: 1.24, 95%CI: O.8- 1.92). Conclusion: This study highlights that the variance of modern contraceptive use was associated to the way in which FP factors are associated with modern contraceptive use vary between regions and how different FP factors occur among regions. Further researches are needed to investigate potential factors on supply side that influence such variance.

Thesis (MScMedSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Individuals latently infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) contain the infection without showing signs of illness. Steroid hormones such as glucocorticoids (GCs) however can lead to reactivation of TB. Currently two different injectable contraceptives are available in South Africa, medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) and norethisterone enanthate (NET). MPA is able to bind to and activate the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and possesses selective GC activity, a pharmacological characteristic absent in NET. The aim of this study was to investigate the immune modulatory effects of the two contraceptives MPA and NET on immune responses to mycobacteria in vitro and in vivo. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were infected with BCG (M. bovis Bacille Calmette-Guérin) and treated with MPA, NET, progesterone or cortisol and cytokine expression was measured in order to determine whether the synthetic progestins mimic endogenous progesterone or the GC cortisol. MPA, but not NET suppressed the expression of IFN-γ, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-12p40 and IL-13 similarly to cortisol. Furthermore expression of miRNAs, small double stranded RNA molecules that bind to complementary sequences in mRNAs of target genes and cause their degradation, was determined under the different experimental conditions. The expression of several miRNAs including miR-30c, miR-222, miR-454 and miR-331-3p were differentially influenced by MPA, cortisol and/or NET in PBMCs stimulated with BCG. For example, BCG induced the expression of miR-454 (p=0.003) which was then inhibited to basal levels by cortisol (p=0.008), MPA (p=0.002) and NET (p=0.002). These results demonstrate that steroid hormones including the contraceptives MPA and NET can modulate immune responses to mycobacteria at the miRNA level. To determine the effect of MPA and NET on BCG-induced expression of miRNAs in vivo a mouse model was used. C57BL/6 mice were injected weekly with either MPA or NET using a dose equivalent to humans and then infected with BCG. Mice treated with MPA had a higher spleen bacterial load 21 days after infection compared to both NET treated and control mice (p=0.023). In whole blood, MPA and NET treatment suppressed the BCG-induced production of miR-100 and miR-509-3p to basal levels. In contrast to NET, MPA induced expression of miR-99a expression independent of BCG infection. In the lung, the site of disease, a total number of 22 out of 377 miRNAs tested were differentially expressed 21 days after infection. The results of this study indicate that both synthetic progestins altered the immune response to BCG at the level of cytokine expression as well as the miRNA level. MPA was found to mimic cortisol by inhibiting secretion of inflammatory cytokines whereas NET appeared to have more progestogenic properties. Each of the steroid hormones was observed to induce a characteristic miRNA expression profile, both in vitro as well as in vivo, although not identical. These results highlight that the two contraceptives – although used interchangeably by women in developing countries - are pharmacologically unique and differentially modulate immune responses to mycobacteria. These data support the urgent need for further research into the link between hormonal contraceptives and susceptibility to infectious diseases. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Individue wat latent met Mycobacterium tuberculosis ( M.tb ) geïnfekteer is, onderdruk die infeksie en wys geen simptome van die siekte nie. Steroïed hormone soos glukokortikoïede (GKe) kan egter tot die heraktivering van TB lei. Daar is tans twee verskillende inspuitbare voorbehoedmiddels beskikbaar in Suid-Afrika, medroksiprogesteroon-asetaat (MPA) en noretisteroon enantaat (NET). MPA is staat om aan die glukokortikoïed reseptor (GR) te bind en dit te aktiveer. MPA beskik ook selektiewe GK aktiwiteit, 'n farmakologiese eienskap wat afwesig is in NET. Die doel van hierdie studie was om die immuun-regulerende effekte van die twee voorbehoedmiddels, MPA en NET, op immuunresponse teen mikobakterieë in vitro en in vivo te ondersoek. Menslike perifêre bloed mononukleêre selle (PBMSe) is met BCG geïnfekteer en met MPA, NET, progesteroon of kortisol behandel. Sitokien uitdrukking was gemeet om vas te stel of die sintetiese progestiene, endogene progesteroon of die GK kortisol naboots. MPA, maar nie NET, onderdruk die produksie van IFN-γ, IL- 1α, IL- 1β, IL- 2, IL- 12p40 en IL- 13 soortgelyk aan kortisol. Verder is uitdrukking van miRNAs, klein dubbelstring RNS molekules wat aan komplimentêre volgorde in mRNAs van teiken gene bind en wat hul degradering veroorsaak, bepaal in elk van die verskillende eksperimentele toestande. Die uitdrukking van verskeie miRNAs insluitende miR-30c, miR-222, miR-454 en miR-331-3p is differensieël beïnvloed deur MPA, kortisol en/of NET in PBMSe wat met BCG gestimuleer is. Byvoorbeeld, BCG veroorsaak die uitdrukking van miR-454 wat dan geïnhibeer word tot agtergrondvlakke deur kortisol, MPA en NET. Hierdie resultate toon dat steroïed hormone, insluitend die voorbehoedmiddels MPA en NET, die immuunrespons teen mikobakterieë op miRNA-vlak affekteer. Om die effek van MPA en NET op BCG-geïnduseerde uitdrukking van miRNAs in vivo te bepaal, is ʼn muismodel gebruik. C57BL/6 muise is weekliks met 'n dosis van MPA of NET, ekwivalent aan dosisse gebruik in die mens, ingespuit en met BCG geïnfekteer. Muise wat met MPA behandel is, het 'n hoër bakteriële lading in die milt 21 dae na infeksie in vergelyking met NET-behandelde muise en kontrole muise. In hul bloed, onderdruk MPA en NET behandeling die BCG-geïnduseerde produksie van miR-100 en miR-509-3p tot basale vlakke. In teenstelling met NET, induseer MPA die uitdrukking van miR-99a onafhanklik van BCG infeksie. In die long is 'n totaal van 23 miRNAs differensieël uitgedruk 21 dae na die infeksie. Die resultate van hierdie studie dui daarop dat beide sintetiese progestien die immuunrespons teen BCG verander op sitokien sowel as miRNA vlak. MPA boots hoofsaaklik kortisol na deur inhibering van sitokien-produksie terwyl NET meer progesterone eienskappe het. Op miRNA vlak veroorsaak elk van die steroïed hormone 'n kenmerkende miRNA uitdrukkingsprofiel, beide in vitro asook in vivo. Hierdie resultate beklemtoon dat die twee voorbehoedmiddels - alhoewel hulle afwisselend gebruik word deur vroue in ontwikkelende lande - farmakologies uniek is en differensieël die immuunrespons reguleer teen Mycobacterium. Hierdie data ondersteun die dringende behoefte aan verdere navorsing in verband met hormonale voorbehoedmiddels en vatbaarheid vir aansteeklike siektes.

The aim of this study was to examine sexual behavior, contraceptive use, self-rated health, lifestyle factors and the prevalence of HPV vaccination among last year high school students. The study was a quantitative cross-sectional study which was a substudy of the longitudinal study " Pornography, Youth and Health". Results showed that the majority of students had had sexual intercourse (75 %, n=524) and both performed (67 %, n=479) and received oralsex (70 %, n=498). Forty percent (n=282) of the students had had one night stand, a quarter (n=159) anal sex and 29 (n=202) percent sex with a friend. The contraceptive use increased from the first to the last intercourse while the use of condoms decreased. Five percent (n=38) of the students reported a sexually transmitted disease, more women than men. Significant difference in sexual experience was shown between students in vocational versus theoretical study programs, between students with low and high self-rated health as well as between students with low versus high risk behavior regarding lifestyle factors. Two thirds of the female students were vaccinated against HPV. No significant difference regarding condom use was shown between the female students who were vaccinated against HPV compared with non-vaccinated. The knowledge of existing differences between gender, between students at different high school programs and attention to risk factors can improve sex education and contraceptive counseling in which the midwife has an important role. / Syftet med föreliggande studie var att undersöka sexualvanor, preventivmedelsanvändning, egen upplevd hälsa, livsstilsfaktorer och förekomsten av HPV-vaccination bland elever som gick sista året på gymnasiet. Studien var en kvantitativ tvärsnittsstudie som var en del av den longitudinella studien "Pornografi, ungdomar och hälsa". Resultat visade att majoriteten av eleverna hade haft samlag (75 %, n=524) samt både givit (67 %, n=479) och fått oralsex (70 %, n=498). Fyrtio procent (n=282) av eleverna hade haft one night stand, en fjärdedel (n=159) analsex och 29 procent (n=202) sex med en kompis. Preventivmedelsanvändningen ökade från första samlaget till det senaste medan kondomanvändningen minskade. Fem procent (n=38) av eleverna hade haft en könssjukdom, fler kvinnor än män. Signifikanta skillnader avseende sexuella erfarenheter fanns mellan elever på yrkesförberedande- respektive studieförberedande gymnasieprogram, mellan elever med låg- och hög självskattad hälsa samt mellan elever med lågt- och högt riskbeteende beträffande livsstilsfaktorer. Två tredjedelar av de kvinnliga eleverna var vaccinerade mot HPV. Ingen signifikant skillnad med avseende på kondomanvändning fanns mellan de kvinnliga eleverna som var vaccinerade respektive ej vaccinerade mot HPV. Kunskap om dessa skillnader mellan kön och mellan elever på olika studieprogram samt att riskfaktorer uppmärksammas kan förbättra sexualundervisning och preventivmedelsrådgivning i vilka barnmorskan har en viktig roll.

The purpose of this research project is to develop a clinical practice guideline for contraceptive counseling to include long acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) recommendations for the adolescent population. LARCs, which include intrauterine devices and implants, are the top-tier contraceptive for nulliparous women yet they are only used in less than 6% of women under 19 years old. There is no LARC clinical practice guideline that addresses the adolescent’s unique developmental and psychosocial needs that arise. A clinical practice guideline with adolescent-specific recommendations will strengthen counseling especially for long-acting reversible contraceptives. The review of literature searched PubMed, CINHAL, National Guideline Clearinghouse, Google Scholar and the Cochrane Library using search terms "LARCs," and "contraceptive counseling." The search yielded over 35,000 results; titles and abstracts were reviewed using pre-determined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The final source documents included forty-eight applicable manuscripts, which were graded using the United States Preventative Task Force (USPSTF) scale. The evidence was then sorted by similar findings and practice recommendations. The findings were used to formulate practice statements, which were then input into the Bridge-wiz software. The program generated recommendations and assigned a strength rating, and the clinical practice guideline was written from these recommendations. Finally, four clinical experts were identified using snowball sampling; they each participated in the final appraisal using the AGREE II tool. Based on the analysis of the review of literature, fifteen evidenced-based recommendations emerged. The recommendation topics included: best-practices for recommending LARCs, using developmentally appropriate teaching, providing youth-friendly services, and eliminating potential barriers to LARC uptake in adolescents. There are fifteen practice recommendations that increase adolescent uptake of LARCs. Limitations for the project included the absence of an internal review committee to grade the evidence and assign a strength to each recommendation. The use of Bridge-wiz software and the USPSTF evidence scale minimized bias. Providers can facilitate use of LARCs among adolescents by using developmentally appropriate and comprehensive contraceptive counseling. If more adolescents chose a LARC as their primary form of contraception, then overall teenage pregnancies may decrease. Further research is needed to understand other barriers and possible interventions.

Purpose: Unintended pregnancies are often a burden to pregnant women and to the health care system. The rates of unintended pregnancies have decreased since the wide use of contraceptives has increased; however, young women, women with low income, and racial/ethnic minorities are more likely to use contraceptives inconsistently, which increases the risk of an unintended pregnancy. This risk could be reduced with the proper use of emergency contraceptives (ECs).Methods and Analysis: A cross-sectional study was conducted using the data from the female respondents of the 2002 Cycle 6 NSFG. Logistic regression was used to determine rates of use of ECs among different risk groups. A second analysis only including women who have had an abortion in the past 12 months was also conducted.Results: In the total study population, women over the age of 30 were more likely to never have used ECs, to not have used ECs in the past 12 months, and to not have received EC counseling in the past 12 months. Among those who have had an abortion, women aged 15-19 were less likely to have never received ECs. Those aged 15-19 and 30-34 were less likely to not receive EC counseling. Income level did not have a significant effect on use of EC services. For the whole study population, Hispanic women were significantly less like to not receive ECs in the past 12 months. Hispanic women were also less likely to not receive EC counseling in the past 12 months for the total study population and for those who have had an abortion.Discussion: Unintended pregnancies create burden for individuals as well as the public health infrastructure. ECs could help to prevent some of these unintended pregnancies. Age was the most significant and consistent predictor of use of EC services Further research should focus on evaluating the use of ECs specifically among those who have unprotected sex in order to more precisely evaluate the characteristics of women using and not using ECs. Further research into the barriers preventing women from accessing ECs is also necessary to increase use of ECs and prevent unintended pregnancies.

Este estudo versa sobre o comportamento de um grupo específico de consumidores brasileiros, classificados como de baixa renda, e busca avaliar como se dá o processo de tomada de decisão na compra de preservativos. Basicamente dois fatores justificam a importância do tema: o primeiro é o fato de que um dos segmentos que mais têm sido afetados pelo aumento da incidência da Aids é a população de baixa renda; o segundo, é a constatação de que crescem as taxas de fecundidade entre mulheres dessa mesma classe. As conseqüências socioeconômicas desses fatos podem ser graves. O uso de métodos contraceptivos e de prevenção contra a doença parece ser, portanto, o caminho para se amenizar o problema. O preservativo tem papel de destaque nessa luta. Tendo isso em vista, o trabalho procura lançar luz à compreensão do perfil das classes populares, seus estilos de vida e de compra, dando foco ao produto preservativo. A revisão da literatura trata da teoria do comportamento do consumidor, associando-a a estudos sobre hábitos de uso do preservativo e a considerações sobre atributos do mesmo. A pesquisa de campo procura identificar quais atributos do preservativo são considerados mais importantes pelos consumidores de baixa renda e qual o peso relativo dessa importância. Para tanto, faz uso de um estudo exploratório-descritivo, apoiado no método de análise da Conjoint Analysis, próprio para avaliação relativa entre atributos. Os principais resultados apresentados mostram que esses consumidores consideram fortemente a importância da marca e do preço, mas não desprezam fatores como formato e textura. Para concluir, as considerações finais destacam que os resultados apresentados sugerem oportunidades de ações de marketing que chamem a atenção dos atributos identificados como de maior importância relativa e permitam o maior acesso do indivíduo de baixa renda ao preservativo. / This thesis is about the behavior of a specific group of brazilian consumers who are classified as low income people. It aims to evaluate how they choose and buy condoms. There are mainly two factors that make this research important: the first one is related to the fact that the number of low income people with Aids is increasing; the second one is related to the growing birth rate in the low income group. The social and economical consequences of these factors are really serious. Using condom can be one of the ways to prevent Aids and pregnancy. Because of this, condom has an important role in this situation. This research intends to understand the profile of the low income groups, their way of living and buying, especially condoms. The theoretical review is based on the consumer behavior, relating it to the searches about the condom using habits and their attributes. The marketing research aims to identify which condom attributes are considered more important by the low income consumers and how such attributes are important or not to these consumers. The main results show that the consumers really consider the condom brand and price, but they also consider the format and texture. Finally, we conclude that there are marketing opportunities related to the condom attributes identified as the most important ones to the low income consumers.

Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar o conhecimento sobre métodos anticoncepcionais (MAC) e identificar as variáveis associados ao conhecimento adequado sobre o tema, em adolescentes de escolas públicas municipais de Ribeirão Preto-SP. Consiste em um estudo do tipo transversal, desenvolvido segundo uma abordagem quantitativa. Foram escolhidas, intencionalmente, duas escolas municipais. A amostra foi constituída por cento e vinte (120) adolescentes, de ambos os sexos, com idade de 13 a 16 anos. A coleta de dados ocorreu no período de 05/03/2007 a 16/03/2007, sendo que o instrumento para a coleta foi um questionário semi-estruturado. Os resultados mostraram que os adolescentes deste estudo pertenciam ao grupo de idade entre 13 - 14 anos (81,7%), sendo que adolescen tes com 15-16 anos represen taram a menor parte (18,3%). O sexo masculino representou 51,6% da amostra e, o feminino, 48,4%. A iniciação sexual ocorreu com 13 anos para ambos ,no sexo feminino com (71,43%)e no sexo masculino (41,18%). Com relação ao uso da camisinha masculina 57,5% dos adolescentes entrevistados não utilizaram a camisinha e 28,3% a utilizaram em suas relações sexuais. Quanto ao uso de métodos anticoncepci onais, para a primeira relação, os resultados mostraram que 36,7% não fizeram uso de nenhum tipo de método e 54,2% não responderam. Em relação segundo o local de obtenção dos MAC os resultados mostraram que 75,8% obtinham no posto de saúde através do médico e 50,7% em farmácias. Sobre a diversidade de métodos anticoncepcionais, o trabalho mostrou que 45% não conheciam nenhum método, seguido de 20,8% que conheciam apenas um; 5,8% conheciam dois tipos e 10,8% conheciam três. Os métodos anticoncepcionais mais conhe cidos foram os de barreira, como o preservativo masculino (45,8%) e o feminino (30,8%), seguidos os anticon cepcionais orais (28,3%). No que diz respeito às fontes de informações e orientações desses métodos, a escola foi a mais citada pelos alunos, com 51,7% e, logo em seguida, surge a família, com 40,8% e a televisão, também com cerca de 40%. O estudo evidenciou que as estratégias mais utilizadas pela escola para informar sobre sexualidade, gravidez na adolescência e os métodos anticoncepcionais foram: no decorrer das aulas (40,8%),e em seguida com a palestra (32,5%). Entre os temas discu tidos em sala de aula com o professor, o mais citado foi sexualidade, com 57,4%. Sobre o diálogo em família, os entrevis tados consideraram a mãe o elo de comunicação mais importante sendo avaliado como bom por 79,2% dos entrevistados. Dos diversos tipos de atendimento à saúde, recebido na Unidade Básica pelo adolescente, a consulta médica foi o mais citado pelos entrevistados, com 48,2%. O estudo mostrou ainda que o conhecimento sobre os métodos anticoncepcionais não garante o seu uso. Entretanto, a disponibilidade de maior número de serviços e orientações sistematizadas sobre tais métodos podem favorecer a mudança de atitudes dos adolescentes em relação a uma prática de uso eficiente e preventivo em relação aos MAC. / The present study aimed to assess knowledge on contraceptive methods and identify variable associated with appropriate knowledge among students in the municipal school system of Ribeirão Preto -SP. This transversal study was developed through a quantitative approach. Two schools belonging to the Health District of Vila Virgínia were purposely selected and the sample size was a fixed number of 120 adolescent students of both genders, aged between 13 and 16. Data collection was conducted from 03/05/2007 to 03/16/2007 and a semi-structured questionnaire was used as data collection instrument. The research showed that the subjects consisted of a group of adolescents between13 and14 years old (81,7%) and a smaller group of adolescents between 15 and 16 years old (18,3%), with males representing 51.6% and females 48.4%. The sexual initiation occurred around the age of 13 for both genders(71,43%) of females and (41,18%) male sex . The use condom was reported by (57,5%) of subjets group did not using, while among the group within the same, 28.3% reported using it. The findings also showed that 36,7% of the subjects did not use any kind of contraceptive method in their first sexual intercourse, and 54,2% did not answer this question. Regarding ways to obtain contraceptive methods, the results showed that 75,8% of the subjects received them from a Health Unit and a doctor of them prescription, 50,7% bought them at a drugstore. The study showed that 45% of the students did not know any kind of contraceptive method, followed by 20.8% that knew only one kind, 5.8% knew two methods, and 10.8% knew three kinds of methods. The most widely known method was the male condom (45,8%) and the female kind (30.8%), followed by the oral contraceptive (28.3%). As for sources of information and advice on contraceptive methods, the most common source was the school (51.7%), followed by the family (40.8%), and TV (40%). The study showed that the advice and information on sexuality, pregnancy in adolescence, and contraceptive methods received at school were delivered through lectures (32.5%) and during lessons (40.8%). According to the data, among the topics associated with health in adolescence discussed in class with the teacher, sexuality was the most common one (57.4%). In terms of conversations with the family, the mother was shown to be the most important bond. In addition, the level of communication with the mother was considered good by 79.2% of the students. Health attention received at the Health Unit and consultation with a doctor was the most common option mentioned by adolescents (48.2%). The research showed that knowing contraceptive methods does not guarantee their use. However, availability of more services and extensive advice on contraceptive methods can assist in changing adolescents\' behavior as regards the efficient and preventive use of contra ceptive methods.