Current updates about contraception and sexually transmitted diseases of students in the area of Thrace

Aim:

This study was designed to highlight the current updates of young women about contraception and sexually transmitted diseases.

Materials and methods:

There were studied 590 high school students in the area of Thrace (360 medical students and 230 students of the Pedagogical Department) aged 17 – 22 (mean 20.94, SD 2.38). Women anonymously agreed to respond to a questionnaire designed with the purpose to investigate their contraceptive behaviors and to highlight contraceptive methods they use. Age, level of education, marital status, and frequency of sexual contacts were included in the questionnaire as factors that affect women's contraceptive behavior. Student's current knowledge about sexually transmitted diseases has also been evaluated.

Results:

76.5% of the students surveyed believed that they have good information about STDs. and 94.5% for the methods and benefits of contraception. The most common method of contraception is hormonal contraception (58.5%), the condom (40.0%) and only 1.5% that is not using any method. The education originate from the center of Family Planning, which is the main source of information for both STDs and contraceptive methods. 54.1% of women had mild contraceptive side effects but only 10.7% discontinued treatment due to these.

Conclusion:

This study shows that a fairly high percentage of college students has a satisfactory knowledge of STDs. and about the methods and benefits of contraception, the main source of information is the Family Planning Center.