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. 2024 Aug-Sep;72(6):1655-1658.
doi: 10.1080/07448481.2022.2089043. Epub 2022 Jun 23.

Knowledge and intention to use long-acting reversible contraception among university students

Stephanie M Asdell  1 , Rachel D Bennett  1 , Sabrina A Cordon  2 , Qiuhong Zhao  2 , Jeffrey F Peipert  2
Affiliations

Knowledge and intention to use long-acting reversible contraception among university students

Stephanie M Asdell et al. J Am Coll Health. 2024 Aug-Sep.

Abstract

Objective: To assess the relationship between knowledge of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) and intention to use LARC among female students.

Participants: Participants consisted of a convenience sample of 292 female undergraduate and graduate students at a large midwestern university.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional in-person survey and multivariate analysis of LARC knowledge and intention to use LARC.

Results: Total response rate was 84.9%. Among contraceptive users, 13.3% were using a LARC method. On average, respondents scored 4.8/10 (SD 2.5) on a 10-item LARC knowledge assessment. Higher levels of LARC knowledge were associated with the intent to use LARC in the future in our multivariate analysis (RR 1.7, 95% CI 1.14-2.54: p = .01). Common reasons for LARC hesitancy were a need for more information, safety concerns, and risk of undesirable side effects.

Conclusions: Low LARC knowledge and students' self-identified need for further LARC information represent an opportunity for campus contraceptive interventions which empower students to make informed reproductive decisions.

Keywords: College student; LARC; long-acting reversible contraception; student health; university student.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: Dr. Peipert receives research support from Bayer, CooperSurgical & Merck, and serves on an advisory Board for OCON Healthcare.

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