Increasing the effectiveness of contraceptive usage in university students

Abstract

Prevention of pregnancy requires correct and consistent use of an effective method of contraception and knowledge alone is not sufficient to ensure such use, as many complex social and behavioral factors influence contraceptive behavior. Women are particularly likely to change their contraceptive method after a contraceptive 'shock'. In this study, the change in contraceptive behavior of a group of university students who presented for emergency contraception is studied. Each student participated in a single individualized educational session. A total of 465 women requested emergency contraception in a 3.5-year period at a large student health center. Of these, 24% had not previously used contraception, 50% had previously used condoms and 25% had taken the pill (COC). Of those who usually used condoms, 79% had had a condom accident and 21% had not used them at the last intercourse. Only 30% of COC users had had a problem with the pill and the remaining 70% were not taking it at the time of last intercourse, for social rather than medical reasons. Follow-up is available for 309 (66.5%). Paired-sample analysis of these women shows a decrease in the number using no contraception (22% to 8%), and an increase in the number using COCs (33% to 66%). These changes reached statistical significance (p < 0.0001). University students, despite their intelligence, exhibit a high degree of risk-taking behavior but become more effective contraceptive users after an interactive counselling session following a contraceptive scare.