What influences adolescents' contraceptive decision-making? A meta-ethnography.

Increased access to and use of contraception has contributed significantly to the decline in teen birth rates since 1991, yet many teens use contraception inconsistently or not at all. This meta-ethnography was conducted to identify the factors that influence adolescents' contraceptive decision-making. Fourteen qualitative studies were examined using G. W. Noblit and R. D. Hare's (1988) meta-ethnographic approach. Three themes of self, partner and family were found to influence contraceptive decision-making in both positive and negative ways. Assisting adolescents to maximize positive and reduce negative influences regarding contraceptive decision-making has the potential to assist teens to more effectively avoid unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.