Awareness and use of emergency contraception methods among university students in Pereira-Colombia

Abstract

Introduction: The emergency contraceptive method (ECM), also known as post-coital contraception, is one of the alternatives that can be used to avoid an unwanted pregnancy up to 72 hours after a woman has had unprotected sexual intercourse. Objective: To establish the level of awareness and practice of emergency contraceptive methods among university students. Materials and methods: An observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study. The sample included 15- to 25-year-old students of a Higher Education Institution from the Municipality of Pereira- Colombia, with an active sexual life. The study included sociodemographic variables with respect to awareness and practice of contraceptive methods. Results: 127 students were surveyed, where the median age for female students  was 19 years (IQR of 3), whereas male students showed a median age of 21 years old (IQR of 5). The condom was the most commonly used contraceptive method, used by 35.4% of the students, followed by contraceptive pills, which was used by 26.8% of students. Conclusions: The birth control method of choice was condoms. Although there is a high prevalence of consumption of emergency contraceptive methods, students show little awareness of their use.