Socio-demographic factors influence contraception use among female students of the University of Novi Sad (Serbia)

Abstract

Objectives To identify some of the socio-demographic factors that influence the use of contraception among female university students and to gain a deeper insight into their contraceptive behaviour.

Methods The study encompassed 597 randomly chosen, sexually active, second- and third-year female students of the University of Novi Sad (Serbia). The questionnaire, specially designed for the purpose of this investigation, covered a number of socio-demographic factors that could presumably influence the contraceptive behaviour of the polled students.

Results Statistically significant differences among the respondents with respect to contraception use appeared to be: mother's education, presence of an elder sibling in the family, motivation for engaging in sexual intercourse, talking with friends, as well as self-assessment of the knowledge about contraception.

Conclusion The identified socio-demographic factors that influence the contraceptive behaviour of female students should allow to devise appropriate strategies for the promotion of the use of contraception by this young population.

Key words:

• Contraception
• Contraception use
• Contraceptive behaviour
• Socio-demographic factors
• Female university students