Contraceptive knowledge and attitudes among 14–24‐year‐olds in New South Wales, Australia

Abstract

Objectives:To investigate correlates of contraceptive knowledge and attitudes and describe differences in contraceptive knowledge by contraceptive category among young people in New South Wales. Methods:A total of 119 young people aged 14 to 24, recruited from youth centres, completed a contraceptive knowledge and attitude survey. Results:Overall contraceptive knowledge was low. Females had significantly better knowledge than males. There was high knowledge about condoms and withdrawal and low knowledge about shorter‐term hormonal methods (oral contraceptive pill and vaginal ring) and long‐acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods. Nearly half of respondents agreed that ‘contraceptives make sex seem less romantic’, while 58% agreed that ‘contraceptives are difficult to use’. Despite this, both genders had positive attitudes to contraception, with females’ attitudes significantly more positive than males. Conclusions and implications:While young people, particularly young women, expressed attitudes conducive to contraceptive use, many are unaware of basic facts about methods, including highly effective LARC. Our findings reflect the modest reproductive and sexual health education received by Australian young people and cultural norms of condoms and oral contraceptives as default methods and highlight the need to improve knowledge, among young men, in particular, about the most effective contraceptive methods.