Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026
05:04
Using Simulation Models to Train Clinicians in the Use of Point-of-Care Ultrasound
Published on: August 9, 2024
Contraceptive usage patterns in North American medical students
Tami S Rowen1, James F Smith, Michael L Eisenberg
1Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA. rowents@obgyn.ucsf.edu
Contraception
|April 12, 2011
Summary
Most medical students use contraception, but usage varies by demographics. Personal contraceptive choices may impact how students advise patients on reproductive health.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Public Health
- Reproductive Health
Background:
- Medical professionals' beliefs about sexuality can affect patient care.
- Medical students are a significant demographic for reproductive health research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine contraceptive usage patterns among North American medical students.
- To identify factors associated with contraceptive use in this population.
Main Methods:
- An internet-based survey was distributed to medical students across North America.
- Data collected included ethnodemographic factors, sexual history, and current contraceptive methods.
- Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyzed the responses from 2269 participants.
Main Results:
- 71% of men and 76% of women reported using at least one contraceptive method.
- Condoms were the most common method, followed by oral contraceptive pills.
- Contraceptive use was lower among Black or Asian students, those not in relationships, and women with sexual dysfunction.
Conclusions:
- Significant demographic disparities exist in contraceptive use among medical students.
- Medical students' personal contraceptive practices may influence their patient counseling.
- Enhanced knowledge of effective contraceptive practices could benefit medical students.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Birth Control Methods
Vasectomy is a surgical form of male sterilization that involves severing and sealing the vasa deferentia, preventing sperm from mixing with semen during ejaculation. Because a vasectomy does not impact the testes' ability to produce testosterone, hormone levels, libido, and sexual function generally remain unchanged. While vasectomy is highly effective in preventing pregnancy, with a success rate near 99.85%, rare cases of recanalization (spontaneous reconnection) can occur. Although vasectomy...
01:21Intrauterine Drug Delivery Systems
Controlled-release systems for intravaginal and intrauterine drug delivery have been developed primarily for the administration of contraceptive steroid hormones. These delivery routes circumvent first-pass hepatic metabolism, thereby enhancing bioavailability and allowing for reduced systemic dosages compared to oral administration. Such approaches contribute to improved therapeutic efficacy and patient compliance, particularly in long-term contraceptive regimens.Intravaginal Drug Delivery...
01:50Cross-Sectional Research
In cross-sectional research, a researcher compares multiple segments of the population at the same time. If they were interested in people's dietary habits, the researcher might directly compare different groups of people by age. Instead of following a group of people for 20 years to see how their dietary habits changed from decade to decade, the researcher would study a group of 20-year-old individuals and compare them to a group of 30-year-old individuals and a group of 40-year-old...
01:22Hormonal Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle
The ovarian cycle regulates endometrial changes throughout a single menstrual cycle via the coordinated action of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and gonadotrophins.
At puberty, GnRH begins a pulsatile release pattern, which triggers the anterior pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The frequency and amplitude of GnRH pulses vary across the menstrual cycle, with faster pulses favoring LH release and slower pulses favoring FSH release.
At puberty, GnRH begins a pulsatile release pattern, which triggers the anterior pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The frequency and amplitude of GnRH pulses vary across the menstrual cycle, with faster pulses favoring LH release and slower pulses favoring FSH release.
01:28Dosage Regimens: Designs and Approaches
Designing a dosage regimen, which refers to the manner of drug administration, is a complex process involving the selection of drug dose, route, and frequency. This process is underpinned by pharmacokinetic parameters derived from tests and population averages. These parameters are then tailored to patient-specific variables such as diagnosis, demographics, and allergy status. Once therapy commences, therapeutic response monitoring is critical and achieved through clinical and physical...
01:23Dosage Regimen Designs: Nomograms and Tabulations
Nomograms and tabulations are vital tools used by clinicians to design accurate and individualized dosage regimens. These instruments provide a straightforward method for adjusting dosages based on individual patient characteristics, including age, weight, and physiological condition. The foundation of a drug's nomogram is population pharmacokinetic data collected and analyzed using specific models. This data simplifies complex equations, presenting them diagrammatically or tabularly for easy...