pregnancy wantedness in Adolescents Presenting for Pregnancy Testing

PURPOSE:To explore and describe dimensions of pregnancy wantedness in adolescents who present for pregnancy testing. DESIGN:Descriptive survey. METHODS:Adolescents presenting for pregnancy testing at a multiservice teen center were invited to participate by completing the Pregnancy Importance Questionnaire while awaiting the results of their pregnancy test. Eighty-nine adolescents responded to questions concerning their desire for pregnancy, knowledge and access to birth control information and supplies, and expectations of how a pregnancy would change their lives. RESULTS:Approximately 7% wanted the pregnancy test to be positive, 60% wanted it to be negative, and 33% were not sure. There was a moderately low (1.97 out of 5) desire for pregnancy, a moderately high (3.11 out of 5) knowledge of and access to birth control, and moderately low (2.08 out of 5) expected changes with a pregnancy. There were no differences in these dimensions by age group (early, middle, and late adolescence). CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS:All clinicians working with adolescents should explore sexual risk-taking and pregnancy prevention measures among these clients. Appropriate counseling and follow-up is necessary for adolescents who present for pregnancy testing, whether the pregnancy test is positive or negative.