Characteristics of parents who think intrauterine devices or contraceptive implants are "best" for their daughter: An exploratory analysis in Dallas, Texas

Abstract

Objective: To explore characteristics of parents who prefer an intrauterine device (IUD) or implant compared to all other contraceptive methods.

Study design: Parents with an adolescent daughter completed a cross-sectional survey. The outcome evaluated the parent's perceived "best" contraceptive method for their daughter using bivariate statistics and multivariable modeling.

Results: Of 115 parents, parental willingness to use IUD or implant themselves (p = 0.014) and thinking IUD or implant is best at preventing pregnancy (p = 0.001) remained positively associated with parents thinking IUD or implant is the "best" contraceptive method for their daughter.

Conclusions: Clinicians can consider integrating parents' personal experiences with IUD or implant during adolescent contraception counseling.

Implications: Caregivers' personal contraceptive knowledge and personal willingness to use LARC influences their preferences for their daughter's contraception. Clinicians can assess and integrate caregivers' perspectives during adolescent contraception counseling.

Keywords: Adolescents; Contraceptive counseling; Contraceptive implant; Intrauterine device; Long-acting reversible contraception; Parents.