Knowledge of Contraceptive Methods. One of the key objectives of mCenas! was to improve knowledge of contraceptive methods among youth. Although improved knowledge of contraceptive methods may not immediately translate to increased use of contraception, it is a precursor to increased use in the long run: youth can only use what they know. While inaccurate information (or beliefs) about FP in general or specific methods can lead to low uptake of FP, improved knowledge of contraceptive methods helps to reduce misconceptions about contraceptive methods and might consequently improve attitudes toward contraceptive use and uptake. Because all the respondents interviewed at both the baseline and endline surveys were exposed to the intervention that provides information on contraceptive methods, knowledge of contraception was measured not only by whether the respondent had heard of a method but also by the accuracy of their responses regarding safety, ease of use, when to use, and level of effectiveness of the method. The classification of knowledge into none, low, medium, and high was based on the number of method-specific issues for which responses were accurate. The four levels of knowledge were: • None: Respondent reported to have not heard of the method before baseline or during intervention. At endline, it was not expected that any participant would report no knowledge since all participants would have received text messages on all the methods examined in this study; at endline, any participant who reported to have not heard of a method must have not read the text message on that method; • Low: Respondent gave accurate response for only one of the method-specific issues raised; • Medium: Response was accurate for 2-3 of method-specific issues raised; • High: Response accurate for 4 or more of method-specific issues raised. The changes in the number of methods about which the youth had medium-high knowledge at the time of the baseline and endline surveys are presented in figures 3.3.1 and 3.3.2 for male youth, with and without children, and figures 3.3.3 and 3.3.4 for female youth, with and without children8. For male youth, the figures were derived from the data in table 3.3.1 and for female youth the figures were derived from the data in table 3.3.2. Changes in knowledge are calculated as the percentage point difference between baseline and endline survey levels. A positive percentage difference shows an increase in the percentage of youth having a level of knowledge during inter-survey peri...
