This chapter discusses the data analysis and findings from 107 questionnaires completed by adolescent mothers who visited one of the two participating well-baby clinics in the Piet Retief
(Mkhondo) area during 2004. The purpose of this study was to identify factors contributing to adolescent mothers’ non-utilisation of contraceptives in the area.
The objectives of the study were to identify adolescent mothers’
• knowledge, attitudes and beliefs regarding contraceptives
• knowledge about reproductive issues prior to menarche
• knowledge about reproductive issues prior to their pregnancies
• reasons for non-utilisation of contraceptives
• requirements for using contraceptives effectively to prevent unplanned pregnancies
• individual perceptions, modifying factors and variables affecting their contraceptive utilisation
Questionnaires were given to adolescent mothers aged 19 or younger when their babies were born.
After signing the consent form indicating their willingness to participate in the study, these adolescent mothers completed the questionnaires. The signed consent form was folded and put into a separate box from the anonymously completed questionnaires to ensure anonymity. In this way no signed consent form could be linked to any specific completed questionnaire.
A total of one hundred and seven (107) adolescent mothers completed questionnaires at the two participating well-baby clinics between 12 July 2004 and 3 September 2004.
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The data from the questionnaires were statistically analysed by a statistician. The SPSS version 11 program was used for the data analysis. The findings are discussed according to the sections of the questionnaire and then with reference to the three components of the HBM. The four sections of the questionnaire were:
