The use, knowledge and attitudes regarding hormonal contraceptive products of female first-year students in a Faculty of Health Sciences

Abstract

Background: Effective contraception plays a major role in the economic advancement of women. New hormonal products offer more effective solutions with fewer side effects. This study aimed to assess the use, knowledge and attitudes regarding hormonal contraception of female first-year students across various health profession courses. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted during August to October 2017 targeting all female first-year students of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Free State. Results: Self-administered anonymous questionnaires were completed by 261 students (response rate 81.6%). At the time of the study, 29.6% of the study population reported using hormonal contraceptive products; 51.7% of users cited acne as the indication. Among users of hormonal contraceptives, combined oral contraception was the most commonly used (86.0%), and was regarded as the most effective (33.2%). A third of the students (36.2%) were aware that some medication could influence the effectiveness of combined oral contraception. Half (52.3%) had no knowledge of the subdermal implant and 34.8% did not know what an intrauterine system was. According to 28.2%, post-coital use of hormonal products is not an acceptable method of contraception. Almost 90% (87.3%) indicated that an education intervention regarding hormonal contraception is needed at the university. Conclusion: The study population lacks detailed and sufficient knowledge of critical aspects of contraception, such as relative effectiveness, and factors that affect these; long-acting reversible contraceptives; and emergency contraception. A formal education intervention is proposed.

Knowledge and Attitude Towards Contraceptive Methods Among First-Year Nursing Students in Da Nang, Vietnam

“…This was inconsistent with some previous studies. 5,12,19 The highest rate of 261 first-year female students in the study conducted in South Africa thought that combine oral contraceptive pill was the most effective contraception by hormone to prevent pregnancy. 5 The higher number of Indian students acknowledged combined oral contraceptive pill, even if the majority of them knew the failure/effectiveness rate of this method.…”

“…5,12,19 The highest rate of 261 first-year female students in the study conducted in South Africa thought that combine oral contraceptive pill was the most effective contraception by hormone to prevent pregnancy. 5 The higher number of Indian students acknowledged combined oral contraceptive pill, even if the majority of them knew the failure/effectiveness rate of this method. 19 Through the above findings, although knowledge of first-year nursing students of the university was at moderate level, it was lower than the results from other countries.…”

“…Combined oral contraceptive pills was considered as the most effectively hormonal product to prevent unintended pregnancy. 5 However, attitude toward this method in the study was quite low (mean [SD], 19.6 [2.7]; range, 8 -25). The result differed from the study conducted in Pakistan on nursing and midwife students.…”

“…4 Lack of contraceptives knowledge and inappropriate attitude in practice of adolescence cause some high risks such as unintended pregnancy, abortion, and sexually transmitted infections. 5 Young people's knowledge and access to reproductive-health services were limited, it also posed a serious risk to health and life. Thus, preparing the young generation with knowledge and attitudes towards contraceptives is a matter of urgency.…”

Medical students as research participants: Student experiences, questionnaire response rates and preferred modes

“…Hard copy questionnaires distributed in a class setting had higher response rates than electronic questionnaires, although the response rate was low owing to poor class attendance at the programme management sessions. Recent surveys [6,[7][8][9][10] conducted at our medical school (where class attendance is compulsory) using hard copy questionnaires distributed at academic contact sessions have reported response rates of ≥70%, particularly in firstto third-year students. Clear guidance regarding acceptable response rates and expected differences between hard copy and electronic questionnaires is not apparent from the literature, with numerous surveys among health science trainees not reporting response rates.…”