[Contraception and maternity: Findings of a quali-quantitative study with 18- and 19-year-olds in four provinces of Argentina].

The article analyzes the factors that facilitate or hinder access and effective use of contraception by 18- and 19-year-olds living in the cities of Resistencia (province of Chaco), Posadas (province of Misiones) and Santiago del Estero (province of Santiago del Estero) as well as the health regions V and VII of the province of Buenos Aires. Data comes from a survey applied to a purposeful sample of 480 adolescent females (including respondents without children, with one child, and with more than one child) and 21 semi-structured interviews with a population of the same profile. In response to the survey, 74.2% reported using contraception "always" and 12.2% "most of the time." The pill and condoms were the most widely used methods (41.7% and 37.0% respectively). Only 13.2% used a mid- to long-term method (intrauterine device or injectable contraceptive). The main reasons reported by those who "never" use a method (13.6%) were: wanting to become pregnant (27.6%) and partner refusal (27.6%). The interviews revealed difficulties in the use of contraception methods and deficits in contraception counseling.