Munro, SarahMadden, Ciara R2025-08-012025-08-012025Madden_washington_0250O_28099.pdfhttps://hdl.handle.net/1773/53338Thesis (Master's)--University of Washington, 2025Introduction: In this thesis, I will seek to address the knowledge gap regarding youth preferences towards contraceptive methods, from the perspectives of youth aged 15-25 in Canada. While contraception usage and rates have been mapped in previous research, less is known about youth preferences toward individual contraceptive methods. Methods and Analysis: This paper is an extension of the Ask Us project, a prospective, mixed-methods study that sought to understand contraception access, experiences, beliefs, preferences, knowledge, and needs of youth in Canada, from the perspectives of youth and youth service providers. The Ask Us Project involved in-depth interviews with youth and contraception service providers. The study took place in 2024, and youth aged 15-25 from across Canada were selected to participate, alongside contraceptive care providers. As mentioned previously, youth were selected as this population experiences excess barriers in contraceptive care access. Results: Youth will encounter a common reason or choice that forces them to think about starting or switching a method: experiencing painful or irregular periods, hormonal acne, or needing to prevent pregnancy. After deciding to start or switch contraceptive methods, side effects and accessibility are features that matter most to youth. Input from providers, peers, community members, and media influences youth contraceptive choice, but ultimately, the decision itself is totally and confidently made by the youth. Finally, youth put their contraceptive choice into action by making deliberate, rational, and intentional choices within this period of growth, change, and transition. Shame, stigma, and cost may be hindering factors in youth achieving their preferences. Conclusion: Youth positionality in Canada ultimately frames the entire contraceptive care experience detailed in this paper. The information learned from this paper should be used to improve youth access to contraceptive preferences and to inform healthcare professionals on the decisions, features, influences, and choices that lead youth to these preferences.application/pdfen-USCC BYBirth ControlCareContraceptionPreferencesReproductiveYouthBehavioral sciencesHealth servicesThesis