OBJECTIVE: To describe and analyze adolescents' knowledge and attitudes in relation to contraception. METHODS: Descriptive study with a quantitative analysis comprising a sample of 499 adolescents of five state schools of Cuiabá, MT, Brazil, with a structured questionnaire. Data were processed and analyzed by Epi-Info software, with bivariate analysis. RESULTS: Among the studied adolescents, 36% were sexually active; the use of contraceptive methods was referred by 77% of the girls and 66% of the boys; 55% stated they were more familiar with condoms associated with oral and injectable contraceptives; among the adolescents who were sexually active, 40% of the boys and 58% of the girls talk with their lovers/partners on ways to avoid pregnancy; 54% of the girls and 40% of the boys stated that both the man and the woman should use a contraceptive method; the source of indication of contraceptive methods were friends for 22% of the boys and physicians for 36% of the girls. CONCLUSIONS: Although adolescents present some knowledge and adequate attitudes about contraception, there is still the need for prevention and sexual orientation in face of the lack of dialogue between partners, the non-adoption of preventive methods in all sexual intercourses and the reported pregnancy rate.
contraception; adolescent behavior; adolescent health; pregnancy in adolescence; sexuality
