[Effects of a contraceptive counselling intervention in adolescents from deprived neighbourhoods with a high proportion of immigrants]

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a contraceptive counselling intervention among adolescents by sex and origin.

Methods: A pre-post study with a 3-month follow-up was conducted in adolescents from three disadvantaged neighbourhoods. Participants received a counselling session at a community centre. Contraception use at last intercourse and knowledge, beliefs and self-efficacy before and after the intervention were compared with χ(2) and McNemar tests, stratified by sex and origin (autochthonous or immigrant).

Results: A total of 138 (76%) participants completed the follow-up. Fifty-five percent of the participants were girls, 85% were aged 16-19 years and 71% were immigrants. Knowledge and several self-efficacies increased after the intervention. Condom use increased by 5.4% and the proportion not using any method declined by 7.7%.

Conclusions: Contraceptive counselling in the community setting increased the use of contraception and improved psychosocial determinants, especially in immigrant adolescents.

Keywords: Conducta contraceptiva; Contraceptive behaviour; Determinantes sociales de la salud; Efectividad; Effectiveness; Evaluación; Evaluation; Immigration; Inmigración; Intervención; Intervention; Social determinants of health.