Young Nursing Student's Knowledge and Attitudes about Contraceptive Methods

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Nursing Education
• Sexual Health

Background:

• Adolescence presents significant sexual health risks.
• Traditional sexual health education often focuses on knowledge, neglecting attitudes.
• Attitudes are critical for the success of sexual health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess knowledge and attitudes regarding contraceptive methods among nursing students.
• To identify factors influencing contraceptive knowledge and attitudes in young adults.

Main Methods:

• A multicenter, cross-sectional study involving 2914 university students (aged 18-25).
• Utilized validated scales to measure knowledge and attitudes toward contraceptive use.
• Analyzed data based on training received and contraceptive usage.

Main Results:

• Students trained in contraceptives showed over 70% success rate versus 15.3% for untrained students (p < 0.001).
• Attitude scores averaged 43.45 (10-50), with no significant difference based on training (p = 0.435).
• Positive attitudes were significantly higher in students who used contraceptives (p < 0.001), with a weak knowledge-attitude correlation.

Conclusions:

• Adequate knowledge of contraceptives does not guarantee positive attitudes toward their use.
• Positive attitudes towards contraceptive use are linked to actual usage during adolescence.
• Nursing education should address both knowledge and attitudes for effective sexual health outcomes.