Abstract

Long-term contraceptives are a needed measure for prevention of unintended pregnancies. Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (Depo-Provera), a long-term injectable contraceptive, is particularly useful for adolescent women. Despite the widespread use of Depo- Provera, limited data exist in the literature on continuation rates, especially among adolescents. The purpose of this descriptive study was to determine the factors which influence the choice and discontinuation of Depo-Provera among adolescents. The Health Belief Model served as the theoretical framework to guide this study. The convenience sample consisted of adolescent females (N = 14) . The instrument utilized for the collection of data was the McCarter Depo-Provera Questionnaire. Responses to the instrument were analyzed using frequency distributions and percentages. The majority of the adolescents (93%) in this study were satisfied with Depo-Provera. Most of the subjects (86%) chose Depo-Provera because they only had to remember to get an injection every 3 months. Only 2 subjects discontinued use of Depo-Provera and attributed discontinuation to physical and menstrual symptoms. Conclusions derived from the findings of this study were that the majority of the adolescents had used another method of birth control, almost half of the adolescents had been pregnant, and most of the adolescents had used Depo-Provera for 12 months or longer. Recommendations for future research are replication of the study with a larger, more diverse sample, replication of the study without parental consent for participation in the study if not required for administration of Depo-Provera, and conduction of research to include past sexual history and educational level.

Degree

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Department

Graduate Nursing

Degree Date

8-1-1998

Publication Number

27919800

First Advisor

Dr. Bonnie Lockard

Second Advisor

Dr. Linda Sullivan

Third Advisor

Jessica Alexander

Document Type

Thesis

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Nursing Commons

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