Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Toward Contraceptive Methods Among Female Undergraduate Students of Chiang Mai University, Thailand: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Abstract

Background: Unintended pregnancies are associated with unsafe abortions and maternal deaths. Undergraduates are at risk of unexpected pregnancy due to changes in their lives. Adequate knowledge and attitudes toward contraceptive uses are essential to help prevent pregnancy.

Objective: To assess sex activity, knowledge, attitudes, and practices of contraception methods among female undergraduates at Chiang Mai University, Thailand.

Methods: Self-administered anonymous questionnaires were answered by female undergraduate students via an online platform. The questionnaire consisted of four parts (sociodemographic and contraception use, knowledge of contraceptive methods, attitudes, and sources of information.).

Results: A total of 475 women responded to the questionnaire. Of them, 29.2% had sex experience, with significantly lower prevalence among the students in health sciences faculties, when compared with those of nonhealth sciences (20.6% vs. 40.2%; p-value <0.001). The mean ± standard deviation scores of knowledge of contraceptive methods was 12.84 ± 4.59 (range, 0-24), indicating a medium level. There were only 15.1% of participants who were categorized as a high level, while many participants (86.9%) had a positive attitude toward contraceptive methods. Most participants gained contraceptive knowledge from online content from the internet and social media.

Conclusion: Nearly 30% of the female university students had sex experience, lower than that in most previous studies, with significantly lower prevalence in the group of health sciences faculties. Most female university students had a positive attitude toward contraception uses; however, their knowledge about contraception was relatively limited. Finally, most contraceptive methods used were relatively less effective and theoretically at risk for unintended pregnancy.