ORAL-CONTRACEPTIVE USE AMONG AFRICAN-AMERICAN ADOLESCENTS - INDIVIDUAL AND COMMUNITY INFLUENCES

Side effects of oral contraceptives are a noteworthy problem, particul arly among low-income young women who reside in inner-city communities . The problem may be compounded by inadequate family planning services , particularly when such services are provided by general medical prac tices with high volumes of clients. This study examined the prevalence and correlates of pill-related side effects, with particular attentio n to the role of clinic characteristics. Participants were 177 pregnan t and parenting African American adolescents and young women (average age = 18.34). The experience of a pill-related side effect was the mos t frequently cited barrier to birth control use, and it was significan tly related to contraceptive behavior. Finally, although participants attending comprehensive clinics experienced move barriers to medical s ervice use than those attending neighborhood clinics, they reported fe wer problems with pill-related side effects and better psychological f unctioning. Implications for future research and policy are discussed.