Factors impacting on contraceptive use among youth in northern Tshwane: Part 2

Abstract

Young people are vulnerable to risky behaviors that cause major health problems such as sexual behaviour resulting in early, unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This study intends to identify and describe factors impacting on the utilisation of contraceptives and contraceptive services among youth in Northern Tshwane. A purposive sampling method was used to select participants who met the set criteria. Two focus group interviews were held with youth who visited the selected health care centres for contraceptives and those who had terminated a pregnancy. The interviews were tape recorded, field notes were made during interviews and these were transcribed verbatim. The findings revealed that a number of factors play a major role in non-utilisation of contraceptives and contraceptive services.