Rural mothers' experiences and perceptions of their role in pregnancy prevention for their adolescent daughters

Objective: To explore rural mothers' experiences and perceptions of their role in talking with daughters about pregnancy prevention. Design: Qualitative design using open-ended interviews. A semistructured interview guide was used based upon the concepts that emerged from previous research, a literature review, and the conceptual framework. Setting: Women were recruited from 3 rural counties in southern Oregon. Interviews took place in private and public settings based on mutual agreement. Participants: The sample included 30 mothers of adolescent females. Methods: Thematic analysis within and across interviews was used to identify barriers, facilitators, and methods mothers described in talking with their daughters about contraception. Results: Barriers and facilitators to communications included characteristics and behaviors of the daughter and the mother as well as contextual issues related to the topic and the environment. Specific strategies mothers used were grouped into the categories of timing, introducing the topic, the mother's approach, and using teaching opportunities. Conclusions: The message content and the way it is conveyed are shaped by barriers, facilitators, and contextual influences to communication. These aspects need to be considered in the design of interventions aimed at helping parents communicate with adolescents about sexuality and pregnancy prevention.