Use of emergency contraceptive pills and condoms by college students: a survey

This study examined the intentions, knowledge, and attitudes of college students regarding the use of emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) and condoms.

A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at 16 Korean colleges.

Data were collected from March 15 to June 10, 2006 from a convenience sample of 1046 college students using a survey questionnaire. The survey included measures of demographic variables, intention to use ECPs (one item) and condoms (one item), knowledge about ECPs (12 items), and attitudes toward using ECPs (12 items) and condoms (16 items). All items except knowledge were rated on a 5-point Likert-type response format, with higher scores indicating greater intentions, more positive attitudes, and greater knowledge.

Of the 1046 participants, 76.3% had heard of ECPs and 13.2% of the sexually active participants (n=190) had used them. Participants showed a general lack of knowledge about ECPs and misconceptions about their safety. The intentions of using ECPs and condoms were positively correlated with each other and with attitude such that the more positive the attitude, the greater their intention to use both ECPs and condoms. There were significant gender differences on many of the variables, in that female students had higher knowledge about ECPs, intention of using ECPs and condoms, and more positive attitude toward condoms than male students who had more positive attitudes toward ECPs. Females had more concerns about the safety of ECPs than males.

The findings suggest that college students must be better informed about ECPs, and reassured about their safety. Additionally, promoting ECPs would not negatively affect condom use. Efforts are needed to disseminate up-to-date information to the general public and to develop educational and awareness programs to empower young people to make informed decisions about the use of ECPs and condoms.