Practical learning: achieving excellence in the human services

January 23-25 2008 Edinburgh International Conference Centre

Contraceptive Use and Attitudes among Female College Students

Keywords: contraceptive use, client education, practice learning

Author: Professor Kellie Bryant (Long Island Univeristy)

Abstract:
Unintended pregnancy is a social issue that severely jeopardizes the quality of life for parents and their children. With 60% of pregnancies unplanned, there is a need to examine factors related to lack of contraceptive use among sexually active women. Women between the ages of 20-24 have one of the highest rates of unintended pregnancies (Henshaw, 1998).

The purpose of this study was to examine contraceptive attitudes and demographic characteristics of contraceptive users among female college students. Students were grouped into those who use contraceptives consistently, intermittently, or not at all. The convenience sample consisted of 120 female college students who were sexually active. Participants completed the Contraceptive Attitude Scale, contraceptive use tool, and demographic tool.

The results showed that there was no significant difference in demographic characteristics for age, race, marital status, years of college education and income between the contraceptive groups or contraceptive attitudes. A majority of participants had a positive attitude about contraceptives. Women with higher contraceptive attitude scores were significantly more likely to be consistent contraceptive users. Uninterrupted contraceptive users had significantly higher mean contraceptive attitude scores than intermittent users and nonusers. Nurses should focus on interventions to increase contraceptive use should focus on helping women to develop a positive attitude about contraception.

Contribution:
By the end of the presentation healthcare providers will be able to:

  1. Identify factors related to effective contraceptive use
  2. Implement interventions to increase contraceptive use among sexually active female

By the end of this presentation researchers will be able to identify new areas for research to decrease the rate of unintended pregnancies.

Healthcare policy makers can identify healthcare policies that can help increase contraceptive use among females.

Date: Thursday 24 January 2008, 2.30-3.00

Venue: Carrick One

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Organised by the Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services in association with PEPE (Practical Experiences in Professional Education).