Exploring young people's difficulties in talking about contraception; how can we encourage more discussion between partners?

Coleman, L.M. and Ingham, R. (1999) Exploring young people's difficulties in talking about contraception; how can we encourage more discussion between partners? Health Education Research, 14 (6), 741-750. (doi:10.1093/her/14.6.741).

Abstract

Interviews were conducted with 56 young men and women aged 16-19 within the Southampton Community Health NHS Trust to explore difficulties in talking about contraception. Concern about a partner's hostile or negative reaction to any discussion about contraception was central to explaining why some people found it so difficult to initiate such discussions. Admitting the intention to have intercourse, together with a perceived association between condom use and disease prevention, were the main concerns. There was some indication of gender differences in these findings. Furthermore, this negative reaction is perceived to be exacerbated according to the partner's reputation, the potential for harming one's own reputation and whether there is a desire for a longer-term relationship with this partner. The most important outcome of the interviews was that these concerns about a partner's negative reaction were largely unjustified, with the vast majority of participants showing only positive responses to scenarios of future partners initiating discussions with them about contraception. In addition to the need to improve communication skills, the data suggest that greater awareness about the positive reactions towards such discussions should be encouraged.
PIP: This study explored the difficulties that prevent some young people from discussing contraception, particularly prior to their first intercourse with a new partner. A total of 56 young people (43 females, 13 males) in Southern England were interviewed. The results showed that the most prominent explanations as to why some people face difficulties in talking about contraception to their partners relate to their concern about a partner's hostile or negative reaction to such discussion. The main concerns were admitting the intention to have intercourse, together with a perceived association between condom use and disease prevention. Moreover, this negative reaction was perceived to be exacerbated according to the partner's reputation, the potential for harming one's own reputation, and whether there was a desire for a longer-term relationship with this partner. The most important finding of this interview was that the concern about a partner's negative reaction was largely unjustified. Therefore, there is a need to improve communication skills and to encourage greater awareness about the positive reactions towards such discussions.

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