Orientation of senior nursing students toward access to contraceptives

Attitudes of 264 senior students of nursing toward providing contraception services to all who want them were assessed in 1974 through a questionnaire. In general, the students expressed permissive attitudes toward dispensing contraceptives to all except one group-very young tennagers. They were reluctant to endorse educating young people about contraception prior to puberty; one-half considered 15 or older the best age to educate. When contraceptive dispersal outside professional control was considered, students evidenced restricitive attitudes. Less than one-third endorsed placing nonprescription contraceptives in vending machines or food markets. Students with more permissive attitudes toward free access to contraceptives were more likely to express permissive attitudes toward premarital sex, nontraditional views of woman's role, and high concern about population problems. They were less likely to consider religion important, to attend sectarian schools, or to be of the Catholic faith.