Peculiarities of contraceptive behavior among female medical students

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This paper presents a review of the current literature on reproductive health problems and contraception in Russian girls. The history of the development and use of contraception in our country was considered, and the awareness, and choice of a suitable method of protection against unwanted pregnancies among Russian university students were analyzed. In addition, data on the contraceptive preferences of students in Europe, Asia, and United States were presented. The MEDLINE, Global Health, CyberLeninka, RSCI, and databases were searched for papers. Moreover, this review presents the results of the authors’ study aimed at determining the contraception methods preferred by third- and fifth-year female students of the I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University) and assessing the level of awareness on pregnancy planning.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: An anonymous online questionnaire was administered to third- and fifth-year girls at Sechenov University. A total of 360 questionnaires (filled out on the Yandex.Forms platform) administered to female students aged 19–24 years were analyzed.

RESULTS: The questionnaires of 176 third- and 184 fifth-year female students were evaluated. The majority of the third-year (72.2%) and fifth-year (83.8%) students had sexual experiences. The main contraception methods among third- and fifth-year female students were barrier methods and interrupted intercourse, hormonal methods of contraception were rarely used (up to 10% of the respondents), and no experience in using intrauterine contraceptives and spermicides was reported.

CONCLUSIONS: The lack of awareness among medical students on modern and reliable contraception methods and their preference for ineffective methods indicate the need to cover reproductive health issues from the first year of study.

Keywords

awareness / contraceptive methods / students / use

References

[1] Uvarova EV. Abortion in young women: problems and solutions. Pediatric and Adolescent Reproductive Health. 2015;(4):10–22. (In Russ).

[2] Уварова Е.В. Аборты у юных и молодых женщин: проблемы и пути решения // Репродуктивное здоровье детей и подростков. 2015. № 4 (63). С. 10–22.

[3] Prilepskaya VN, Serov VN, Nazarova MN, et al. Rukovodstvo po kontratseptsii. 4th edition, exp. Prilepskaya VN, editor. Moscow: MEDpress-inform; 2017. (In Russ).

[4] Прилепская В.Н., Серов В.Н., Назарова М.Н., и др. Руководство по контрацепции. 4-е изд., доп. Прилепская В.Н., ред. Москва: МЕДпресс-информ, 2017.

[5] Sakevich VI, Denisov BP. The Latest Trends in Reproductive Health and the Problem of Abortion in Russia. Sociological Studies. 2019;(11):140–151. (In Russ). doi: 10.31857/S013216250007457-5

[6] Сакевич В.И., Денисов Б.П. Репродуктивное здоровье населения и проблема абортов в России: новейшие тенденции // Социологические исследования. 2019. № 11. С. 140–151.doi: 10.31857/S013216250007457-5

[7] Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat), Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. Reproduktivnoe zdorov’e naseleniya Rossii 2011. Rezyume otcheta. Statistika Rossii; 2012. (In Russ).

[8] Федеральная служба государственной статистики (Росстат), Министерство здравоохранения Российской Федерации. Репродуктивное здоровье населения России 2011. Резюме отчёта. Статистика России, 2012.

[9] Khromova MI. Choosing a method of contraception among female students of St. Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University. Forcipe. 2021;4(S1):105. (In Russ).

[10] Хромова М.И. Выбор метода контрацепции среди студенток СпБГПМУ // Forcipe. 2021. Т. 4, Спецвыпуск. С. 105.

[11] World Health Organization. Regional Office for Europe. Medical eligibility criteria for the use of contraceptive use. 5th ed. 2015. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2017. Transl. from Engl. (In Russ).

[12] Всемирная организация здравоохранения, Европейское региональное бюро. Медицинские критерии приемлемости для использования методов контрацепции. 5-е издание, 2015 г. Пер. с англ. Женева: ВОЗ, 2017.

[13] Savel’eva GM, Sukhikh GT, Serov VN, Radzinskii VE, Manukhin IB, editors. Gynecology. National leadership. Moscow: GEOTAR-Media; 2020. (In Russ).

[14] Гинекология. Национальное руководство / под ред. Г.М. Савельевой, Г.Т. Сухих, В.Н. Серова, В.Е. Радзинского, И.Б. Манухина. 2-е изд., перераб. и доп. Москва : ГЭОТАР-Медиа, 2020.

[15] Savel’eva GM, Apolikhina IA, Baranov II, Sukhikh GT, Serov VN. Obstetrics and gynecology. Clinical guidelines. 4th ed., reprint. and add. Savel’eva GM, Sukhikh GT, Serov VN, editors. Moscow: GEOTAR-Media; 2019. (In Russ).

[16] Савельева Г.М., Аполихина И.А., Баранов И.И., Сухих Г.Т., Серов В.Н. Акушерство и гинекология. Клинические рекомендации. Савельева Г.М., Сухих Г.Т., Серов В.Н., ред. 4-е изд., перераб. и доп. Москва : ГЭОТАР-Медиа, 2019.

[17] Prilepskaya VN. The evolution of contraception in Russia. Medical Opponent. 2018;(4):16–21. (In Russ).

[18] Прилепская В.Н. Эволюция контрацепции в России // Медицинский оппонент. 2018. № 4. С. 16–21.

[19] Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Department of Monitoring, Analysis and Strategic Development of Healthcare, Russian research Institute of Health. Osnovnye pokazateli zdorov’ya materi i rebenka, deyatel’nost’ sluzhby okhrany detstva i rodovspomozheniya v Rossiiskoi Federatsii. Statistical collection. Moscow; 2016. (In Russ).

[20] Министерство Здравоохранения Российской Федерации, Департамент мониторинга, анализа и стратегического развития здравоохранения, Центральный научно-исследовательский институт организации и информатизации здравоохранения Минздрава Российской Федерации. Основные показатели здоровья матери и ребёнка, деятельность службы охраны детства и родовспоможения в Российской Федерации. Статистический сборник. Москва, 2016.

[21] Tokova ZZ, Prilepskaya VN, Gata AS, Kuzemin AA. Special statistics of the modern methods of contraception in the federal districs of Russian Federation. Gynecology. 2016;18(4):68–71. (In Russ).

[22] Токова З.З., Прилепская В.Н., Гата А.С., Куземин А.А. Статистика современных методов контрацепции в федеральных округах России // Гинекология. 2016. Т. 18, № 4. С. 68–71.

[23] Dikke GB, Erofeeva LV. Contraception in modern Russia: application and awareness. Population-based research. Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2016;(2):108–113. (In Russ).doi: 10.18565/aig.2016.2.108-113

[24] Дикке Г.Б., Ерофеева Л.В. Контрацепция в современной России: применение и информированность (популяционное исследование) // Акушерство и гинекология. 2016. № 2. С. 108–113. doi: 10.18565/aig.2016.2.108-113

[25] Aganezov SS, Morotskaya AV, Aganezova NV. Contraception among young people: preferences and knowledge. Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2016;(4):126–132. (In Russ).doi: 10.18565/aig.2016.4.126-132

[26] Аганезов С.С., Мороцкая А.В., Аганезова Н.В. Контрацепция среди молодежи: предпочтения и знания // Акушерство и гинекология. 2016. № 4. С. 126–132. doi: 10.18565/aig.2016.4.126-132

[27] Denisov BP, Sakevich VI. Abortion in post-Soviet Russia: is there any reason for optimism? Demographic review. 2014;1(1):144–169. (In Russ).

[28] Денисов Б.П., Сакевич В.И. Аборты в постсоветской России: есть ли основания для оптимизма? // Демографическое обозрение. 2014. Т. 1, № 1. С. 144–169.

[29] Oboskalova TA, Prohorova OV. Reproductive behavior of medical students: realities of contraceptive choice. Gynecology. 2018;20(3):16–20. (In Russ).doi: 10.26442/2079-5696_2018.3.16-20

[30] Обоскалова Т.А., Прохорова О.В. Репродуктивное поведение студентов медицинского вуза: реалии контрацептивного выбора // Гинекология. 2018. Т. 20, № 3. С. 16–20. doi: 10.26442/2079-5696_2018.3.16-20

[31] Hmarik AI, Chepik AV. The attitude of university female students to contraception in general and its methods according to the survey of university female students. German International Journal of Modern Science. 2021;(11):12–14. (In Russ).doi: 10.24412/2701-8369-2021-11-1-12-14

[32] Хмарик А.И., Чепик А.В. Отношение студенток университета к контрацепции в целом и её методам по данным анкетирования студенток университета // German International Journal of Modern Science. 2021. № 11. P. 12–14. doi: 10.24412/2701-8369-2021-11-1-12-14

[33] Blokhina TV, Il’yasova ZYu, Meshcheryakova AA, Novikova AV. Contraception among female students of Tver State Medical University: preferences and awareness. In: Molodezh’, nauka, meditsina: Proceedings of the 65th All-Russian Interuniversity Student Scientific Conference with international participation; 2019 Apr 17–18; Tver. Edition of Tver State Medical University; 2019. P. 137–139. (In Russ).

[34] Блохина Т.В., Ильясова З.Ю., Мещерякова А.А, Новикова А.В. Контрацепция среди студенток Тверского ГМУ: предпочтения и информированность. В сб.: «Молодежь, наука, медицина»: Материалы 65-й Всероссийской межвузовской студенческой научной конференции с международным участием; Апрель 17–18, 2019; Тверь. С. 137–139. Изд. Тверского государственного медицинского университета, 2019.

[35] Murzina GZ, Strelkova SD, Popova NM. Awareness of students of a medical university about the problem of reproductive health. Modern Science. 2020;(10-1):240–243 (In Russ).

[36] Мурзина Г.З., Стрелкова С.Д., Попова Н.М. Информированность студентов медицинского вуза о проблеме репродуктивного здоровья // Modern Science. 2020. № 10-1. С. 240–243.

[37] Kopan’ SV, Andreeva MV, Tikhaeva KY, Shevtsova EP. Students’ view of current contraception method. Reproduktivnoe zdorov’e detei i podrostkov. 2021;17(1):33–39. (In Russ).doi: 10.33029/1816-2134-2021-17-1-33-39

[38] Копань С.В., Андреева М.В., Тихаева К.Ю., Шевцова Е.П. Студенческий взгляд на современную контрацепцию // Репродуктивное здоровье детей и подростков. 2021. Т. 17, № 1. С. 33–39. doi: 10.33029/1816-2134-2021-17-1-33-39

[39] Shikhova EP, Tveritin EA. Reproductive health and reproductive culture of students: tactics of preventive activities. Science of the Young (Eruditio Juvenium). 2021;9(4):573–582. (In Russ). doi: 10.23888/HMJ202194573-582

[40] Шихова Е.П., Тверитин Е.А. Репродуктивное здоровье и репродуктивная культура студентов: тактика профилактических мероприятий // Наука молодых (Eruditio Juvenium). 2021. Т. 9, № 4. С. 573–582. doi: 10.23888/HMJ202194573-582

[41] Shmidt AA, Dzhigkaev MA, Kharkevich ON. Comparative characteristics of female reproductive health and contraceptive behavior among students of younger and older age groups. Tavricheskii mediko-biologicheskii vestnik. 2018;21(2-2):144–152. (In Russ).

[42] Шмидт А.А., Джигкаев М.А., Харкевич О.Н. Сравнительная характеристика репродуктивного здоровья и контрацептивного поведения студенток младших и старших курсов // Таврический медико-биологический вестник. 2018. Т. 21, № 2-2. С. 144–152.

[43] Aganezov SS, Morotskaya AV, Aganezova NV. Emergency contraception among doctors and people without higher medical degree. Journal of Obstetrics and Women’s Diseases. 2018;67(4):34–39. (In Russ). doi: 10.17816/JOWD67434-39

[44] Аганезов С.С., Мороцкая А.В., Аганезова Н.В. Экстренная контрацепция среди врачей и людей без высшего медицинского образования // Журнал акушерства и женских болезней. 2018. Т. 67, № 4. С. 34–39. doi: 10.17816/JOWD67434-39

[45] ACOG Committee Opinion No. 735: Adolescents and Long-Acting Reversible Contraception: Implants and Intrauterine Devices. Obstet Gynecol. 2018;131(5):e130–e139. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000002632

[46] ACOG Committee Opinion No. 735: Adolescents and Long-Acting Reversible Contraception: Implants and Intrauterine Devices // Obstet

[47] McConnell R, Meaney S, O’Donoghue K. Influence of Cost on Contraceptive Choices Amongst University Students. Ir Med J. 2021;114(6):376–382.

[48] Gynecol. 2018. Vol. 131, N. 5. P. e130–e139.doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000002632

[49] Daniels K, Abma JC. Current contraceptive status among women aged 15–49: United States, 2015–2017. NCHS Data Brief, No. 327. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics, 2018.

[50] McConnell R., Meaney S., O’Donoghue K. Influence of Cost on Contraceptive Choices Amongst University Students // Ir Med J. 2021. Vol. 114, N. 6. P. 376–382.

[51] Garrett KP, Widman L, Francis DB, Noar SM. Emergency contraception: Sources of information and perceptions of access among young adults. Women Health. 2016;56(6):668–679.doi: 10.1080/03630242.2015.1118727

[52] Daniels K., Abma J.C. Current contraceptive status among women aged 15–49: United States, 2015–2017. NCHS Data Brief, No. 327. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics, 2018.

[53] Craig AD, Dehlendorf C, Borrero S, Harper CC, Rocca CH. Exploring young adults’ contraceptive knowledge and attitudes: Disparities by race/ethnicity and age. Women’s Health Issues. 2014;24(3):e281–289. doi: 10.1016/j.whi.2014.02.003

[54] Garrett K.P., Widman L., Francis D.B., Noar S.M. Emergency contraception: Sources of information and perceptions of access among young adults // Women Health. 2016. Vol. 56, N. 6. P. 668–679. doi: 10.1080/03630242.2015.1118727

[55] Sons A, Eckhardt AL. Health literacy and knowledge of female reproduction in undergraduate students [published online ahead of print, 2021 Apr 23]. J Am Coll Health. 2021;1–8. doi: 10.1080/07448481.2021.1909034

[56] Craig A.D, Dehlendorf C., Borrero S., Harper C.C., Rocca C.H. Exploring young adults’ contraceptive knowledge and attitudes: Disparities by race/ethnicity and age // Women’s Health Issues. 2014. Vol. 24, N. 3. P. e281–289. doi: 10.1016/j.whi.2014.02.003

[57] Renfro KJ, Haderxhanaj L, Coor A, et al. Sexual-risk and STI-testing behaviors of a national sample of non-students, two-year, and four-year college students. J Am Coll Health. 2022;70(2):544–551. doi: 10.1080/07448481.2020.1756830

[58] Sons A., Eckhardt A.L. Health literacy and knowledge of female reproduction in undergraduate students [published online ahead of print, 2021 Apr 23] // J Am Coll Health. 2021. P. 1–8.doi: 10.1080/07448481.2021.1909034

[59] Hae Won Kim, Young-Jin Lee, Saem Yi Kang, et al. Relationship between the perceived severity of unwanted pregnancy and attitudes toward four contraceptive methods among unmarried university students in Korea: differences by gender and sexual experience. J Mens Health. 2021;17(1):28–36. doi: 10.31083/jomh.v17i1.291

[60] Renfro K.J., Haderxhanaj L., Coor A., et al. Sexual-risk and STI-testing behaviors of a national sample of non-students, two-year, and four-year college students // J Am Coll Health. 2022. Vol. 70, N. 2. P. 544–551.doi: 10.1080/07448481.2020.1756830

[61] Ayalew Tegegne W. The Prevalence and Causes of Unwanted Pregnancy Among Woldia University Undergraduate Female Students: Implications for Psychosocial Intervention. Community Health Equity Res Policy. 2022;42(2):189–193. doi: 10.1177/0272684X20972840

[62] Hae Won Kim, Young-Jin Lee, Saem Yi Kang, et al. Relationship between the perceived severity of unwanted pregnancy and attitudes toward four contraceptive methods among unmarried university students in Korea: differences by gender and sexual experience // J Mens Health. 2021. Vol. 17, N. 1. P. 28–36.doi: 10.31083/jomh.v17i1.291

[63] Darroch JE, Woog V, Bankole A, Ashford LS, Points K. Costs and Benefits of Meeting the Contaceptive Needs of Adolescents. New York, USA: Guttmacher Institute; 2016.

[64] Ayalew Tegegne W. The Prevalence and Causes of Unwanted Pregnancy Among Woldia University Undergraduate Female Students: Implications for Psychosocial Intervention // Community Health Equity Res Policy. 2022. Vol. 42, N. 2. P. 189–193.doi: 10.1177/0272684X20972840

[65] Hubacher D, Trussell J. A definition of modern contraceptive methods. Contraception. 2015;92(5):420–421. doi: 10.1016/j.contraception.2015.08.008.

[66] Darroch J.E., Woog V., Bankole A., Ashford L.S., Points K. Costs and Benefits of Meeting the Contaceptive Needs of Adolescents. New York, USA : Guttmacher Institute, 2016.

[67] Hubacher D., Trussell J. A definition of modern contraceptive methods // Contraception. 2015. Vol. 92, N. 5. P. 420–421.doi: 10.1016/j.contraception.2015.08.008.

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Eco-Vector