Oral contraception : risk awareness amongst university students

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the knowledge, awareness and behaviour of the oral hormonal pill (OHP) amongst female university students. The objectives of this study intended to explore the reason of the OHP usage and frequency; the knowledge and awareness young women have regarding the side-effects of the OHP was found; the sources and means of information by which the above mentioned side-effects and risks were known were also explored. Knowledge of the protective measures needed to be carried out on prescription and during long-term use of the OHP was investigated. The implementation of the protec tive measures taken on prescription and on long-term use was furthermore explored amongst OHP users. Finally, the influence of the knowledge towards the performance of the protective measures was explored. This was done to determine if knowledge affects the uptake of the cautionary actions associated with OHP use. A descriptive qualitative design with an analytic approach was used amongst a population of 3854 students. A questionnaire was distributed to a sample of 200, 18 to 22 year old young women which were targeted by convenience sampling, eliciting a 93% response rate. All gathered data was analyzed using IBM SPSS® and Microsoft Excel®. Results indicated that all participants were aware of the existence of the named side-effects. Participants were aware of the necessary protective measures and implemented them on prescription and long-term use, however such findings were irrespective of course studied at university. Furthermore it was found that knowledge does effect behaviour. This study showed that knowledge of the OHP together with usage and course studied at university are not related. Recommendations include that education is to be directed to wards health and non-health students and may also be initiated at a young age. The availability of professionalized people in providing information might be beneficial to increase the knowledge and awareness amongst the adolescent population. Further research aiming to explore the knowledge of a wider age range of adolescents may be required.