Contraceptive choices of adolescents before and after the voluntary termination of pregnancy

In this retrospective study, we aimed to investigate the contraceptive choices before and after voluntary termination of pregnancy among adolescents. Seventy pregnant adolescents aged 17-19 and undergone voluntary pregnancy termination were included. Counseling about contraceptives was given before the procedure. Contraceptive choices before and after termination of pregnancy were evaluated. Before pregnancy termination, all of the adolescents reported the use of a contraceptive method. The most commonly used method was coitus interruptus (37.1%), followed by male condom (34.3%) and the rhythm method (18.6%). The use of oral contraceptive pills (7.1%) and intrauterine devices (IUDs; 2.9%) were very low. Implants and injections were not used. None of the methods used were dual methods (used with the male condom). After the termination procedure, IUD was main choice (54.3%) followed by oral contraceptive pills (31.4%). Four adolescents (5.7%) selected to insert subdermal implants and three adolescents (4.3%) preferred injections. All of these preferred methods were dual methods. The preference of male condom as a single method decreased by about 3%. The rhythm method and coitus interruptus were not preferred. As a conclusion, contraceptive choices of adolescents significantly change to more effective methods by sufficient counselling during the termination of an unintended pregnancy. Impact statement What is already known on this subject? Adolescent pregnancies are an important public health problem. The prevention of these pregnancies is important in this respect. However, especially in developing countries, adolescents do not have sufficient knowledge of effective contraceptive methods. What do the results of this study add? The contraceptive choices of adolescents significantly change to more effective methods by appropriate counselling during the termination of unintended pregnancies. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? An unintended pregnancy termination may be an opportunity to provide appropriate counselling to prevent subsequent pregnancies in adolescents, especially in countries where the sexual and reproductive health or family planning services are inadequately used.