Survey on knowledge, attitude, practice related to contraception among college students in Beijing

Abstract

To understand the current status and relative factors on knowledge, attitude, practice to contraception among college students in Beijing and to provide evidence for developing aimed contraceptive service and education in colleges. Quantitative surveys were employed, questionnaire was conducted anonymously among 12,450 unmarried college students under informed consent. Among 12,129 students, acknowledgement of contraceptive knowledge among females was superior to males in college (P=0.000). Rates on the favor for unmarried sexual practice and 'sexual liberation' were 81.9% and 60.2% for males, comparing to 74.8% and 54.3% for females respectively. The prevalence rates for masturbation were 74.3% for males and 24.9% for females respectively. 18.4% of the male and 10.5% of the female students had ever experienced unmarried sexual intercourse. Among those students who had sexual experiences, 29.4% of the males had made their sex partners pregnant and 23.1% of the female students had experienced unexpected pregnancy. Statistical significance was found between males and females (P=0.000) in terms of attitudes and behaviors. 51.3% of the male and female students took contraceptive measures during the episode of first sexual intercourse. The excuses for not taking any measures would include: sexual intercourse happened incidentally, not interested in using condom, only one sexual experience would not cause pregnancy, etc. The prevalence of unmarried sexual intercourse among college students had been rising. Among those who had experienced unmarried sexual intercourse, the rate of taking contraceptive measures was low and the incidence of unexpected pregnancy was high. It is urgent to strengthen the education and service programs on contraception among college students.