Young Nursing and Medical Students’ Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Contraceptive Methods

Abstract

Background: Living sexuality fully and without risk to one's health is an international priority. The youth age group has specific characteristics that make it a particularly vulnerable group for adverse consequences such as unwanted pregnancies or sexually transmitted infections. Health professionals are an important group to address this issue; however, to achieve a good result, sufficient knowledge is required to solve all the issues. This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge of young university students studying toward a nursing or medical degree.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study of young medical and nursing students was conducted. The Sexuality and Contraceptive Knowledge Instrument scale was used to measure knowledge level. A bivariate analysis was conducted using the Mann–Whitney U test or the Kruskal–Wallis H test, depending on the number of categories of the independent variable. Finally, a multivariate analysis was conducted using a multiple linear regression model, establishing the level of knowledge as the dependent variable and all variables that obtained statistical significance in the bivariate analysis as predictors.Results: Participants had a good level of knowledge, with 77.9% answering 50% of the questions correctly. Before training, 34.15% of the participants did not pass 50% of the questions asked. This percentage decreased to 12.87% after receiving sexuality training during the university degrees. The main training gaps were found for the items on hormonal contraceptive methods. The bivariate analysis showed that female participants had significantly higher knowledge scores, as did those who had used a hormonal contraceptive method during the most recent intercourse or were aware of family planning centers. These variables maintained their significant effect at the multivariate level, obtaining two models with good explanatory power for participants of both university degrees. Conclusion: The general level of knowledge of the healthcare students was high and sufficient after receiving training during the university degree. The main training gap was found for items on hormonal contraceptive methods, which should be emphasized in future training programs.

Knowledge and Attitude Towards Contraceptive Methods Among First-Year Nursing Students in Da Nang, Vietnam

“…15 The study of Spanish young medical and nursing students showed older respondents had a higher level of knowledge. 26 There was a significant difference of gender regarding knowledge of contraception in the study in Spain. 10 Female nursing students were more knowledgeable about contraceptive methods than male.…”

“…30 However, the research on 303 Spanish nursing students showed the comparable result to the current study. 26 The Spanish study stated that there was no significant difference of knowledge regarding contraception between students having a partner and the others. 26 The finding revealed the weakly significant relationship between attitude and knowledge.…”

“…26 The Spanish study stated that there was no significant difference of knowledge regarding contraception between students having a partner and the others. 26 The finding revealed the weakly significant relationship between attitude and knowledge. This result was consistent with some prior studies in India, 19 Sanz-Martos et al 10 found that providing scientific knowledge could develop favorable attitude among young students.…”