Knowledge and Intention to Use Long-Acting Reversible Contraception among University Students

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.