AN ORAL-CONTRACEPTIVE PERCEPTION SCALE FOR FEMALE ADOLESCENTS

This study sought to develop the initial psychometric properties of a female adolescent oral contraceptive perception scale. Based on qualit ative data, a 39-item scale of perceived benefits and barriers was dev eloped, reviewed by adolescence experts and adolescents, and voluntari ly completed by 407 female adolescents enrolled in family planning cli nics. After item analysis, 15 items were deleted Maximum likelihood fa ctor analysis with varimax rotation yielded two barrier (relationship- oriented and oral contraceptive regimen) and four benefit (relationshi p-oriented pregnancy prevention related to self; pregnancy prevention related to others. personal responsibility) factors that accounted for 53% of the variance. The scale had acceptable reliability (alpha coef ficients ranged from 0.71 to 0.87). The scale should be beneficial to further research in this area.