Knowledge, Awareness and Perception of Contraception among Students in a Public University
Abstract
Introduction: The Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR) in Malaysia is the most vulnerable group. This is one of reason for the increased incidence of teenage pregnancies. University students in particular face new challenges in sexual health including contraceptive.
Method: Cross-sectional, descriptive study conducted among university students at a public university in Malaysia. Using purposive sampling technique, 500 students participated in this study which was conducted over a period of four months from December 2016 to April 2017. Self-administered questionnaire consisted of 32 questions divided in four sections, socio-demographic profile, the knowledge, awareness and perception on contraception was used in this study. Descriptive analyses were executed for each variable.
Result: In total, 500 students participated in the study, 86.6% were female and 11.4% male. Ages ranged from 18 to 28 years old and the mean age was 21 years old (SD: 1.57). Majority of them were among Malay ethnicity (97%); 1.2% of them were married; 70.4% was currently studying at degree level and only 38.2% were among non-sciences students. More than half of the participants ever heard of contraceptive method (67.2%). Mean knowledge score of the participants was 4.41±1.33 while awareness score of participants was 20.64± 3.15. More than half of participants disagreed or strongly disagreed (52.7%) that only womenareresponsibletousecontraceptivemethodswhile54.2%ofthemagreedand strongly agreed that contraceptive pills do not guarantee 100% contraception. More thanhalfoftheparticipants’agreedandstronglyagreedthathealthcareprovidersmust provide counselling on contraceptive methods (62.4%) and sex education including contraception should be introduced in early age (55%).
Conclusion: The deficiency of contraceptive knowledge; and the importance and effectiveness of contraceptive measures call forth the university on the needs of comprehensive education and culturally-sensitive aimed at promoting healthy decision-making about family planning and STI prevention. It is important to understand the major obstacle in gaining knowledge and utilizing contraceptive among university students.
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