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The intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) is one of the most effective contraceptive methods, but it remains underutilized, especially among adolescents. Little is known about how adolescents perceive IUDs. The objective of this study is to explore urban, minority female adolescents' attitudes and beliefs about IUDs and to identify barriers to IUD use.

Qualitative semistructured interviews were conducted with 21 adolescents aged 14 to 21 years who had heard about the IUD but never used one personally. Participants were recruited from two urban school-based health clinics and one community health center. Individual interviews were audiotaped and transcribed. Themes were identified by two independent researchers through line-by-line analysis of interview transcripts.

Fear of the IUD predominated. Respondents related fears about pain, expulsion, foreign body and the potential for …