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Contraceptive use among sexually active university students
Larissa R Brunner Huber1, Jennifer L Ersek
1Department of Public Health Sciences, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223-0001, USA. lrhuber@uncc.edu
Journal of Women'S Health (2002)
|April 10, 2010
Summary
University women
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Public Health
- Sociology
Background:
- Contraceptive use is crucial for reproductive health and family planning.
- Understanding factors influencing contraceptive choices among young women is essential for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore factors associated with contraceptive use and nonuse in sexually active university women.
- To identify reasons for contraceptive nonuse and predictors of contraceptive uptake.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 326 sexually active female university students (October 2006 - August 2007).
- Web-based and postal mail questionnaires collected self-reported data on contraceptive behaviors.
- Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (Cls) analyzed associations between characteristics and contraceptive use.
Main Results:
- 77.1% of sexually active women reported current contraceptive use; oral contraceptives and male condoms were most common.
- Cost was a significant barrier for 25% of women not using contraception.
- Healthcare worker discussion about contraception increased odds of use by 6.63 times (95% CI 2.30, 19.18).
Conclusions:
- Cost is a primary reason for contraceptive nonuse among university women.
- Healthcare providers should discuss contraception during well-woman visits, highlighting low-cost options.
- Personalized counseling and education on accessible methods can improve contraceptive continuation and satisfaction.
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