Knowledge and Attitude of Rural College Students Regarding Contraception

Abstract

The contraceptive knowledge of today's teenagers decides the future of contraceptive practices of tomorrow's eligible couples. High abortion rate of 46% 2 of live births is associated with lack of contraceptive awareness. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The study was conducted among 426 students belonging to 3 rural colleges in Bangalore, South India. RESULTS: Majority 83.1% of the students were aware of legal age at marriage for girls however 79.6% of the preferred 18-21 years. 78.4% of them preferred two child norm. However, the knowledge regarding contraceptive practices was poor. The awareness regarding condoms was 70.9%, 30.8% for OCPs, 8.9% for IUCD. 16.2% for Emergency contraception and 32.6% for surgical method. 82.6% of them felt that there must be spacing between two children and only 8.6% were aware of IUCD for the same. More than 50% of the students felt that family planning improves health, solves social problems and improves quality of life. CONCLUSION: The study clearly shows that though there is a positive attitude regarding family planning, there is lack of awareness regarding various contraceptive methods.