Awareness of emergency contraception among university students in Mersin, Turkey.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to determine the degree of knowledge, behavior and attitude of university students in Mersin towards emergency contraception (EC).


METHODS
This cross-sectional study was carried out among the students of the University of Mersin in December 2008. One thousand and forty-two voluntary students participated in this study and answered the questions presented in the self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of demographic information and the students' awareness, knowledge and use of EC.


RESULTS
The study sample consisted of 532 males and 510 females. The mean age of the participants was 20.4 ± 1.8. Overall, 149 (14.3%) students were aware of EC, and among those, 125 (83.9%) students correctly identified 72 h as the time limit for the methods to be used. The main sources of knowledge about EC were schools (38.9%), friends (18.8%), healthcare providers (17.4%), media (16.1%) and other sources (8.7%). EC awareness was positively associated with female gender, age, studying Health Sciences, father's level of education and level of monthly income. A total of 37 respondents (3.6%) reported that they had unprotected intercourse. Only 20 students or their partners had previously used emergency contraceptive pills.


CONCLUSIONS
Awareness and knowledge of EC was low among the students of Mersin University. Our results demonstrated that males are less aware about EC when compared to females. We strongly recommend that education and counseling about sexual health and family planning be offered to this age group.
Department of Public Health, Mersin University Faculty of Medicine, Mersin, Turkey. gulyapici@yahoo.com.tr
Gulcin
G
Yapici
Seva
S
Oner
Tayyar
T
Sasmaz
Resul
R
Bugdayci
Ahmet Oner
AO
Kurt
D001364:Awareness; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D044363:Contraception, Postcoital; D003281:Contraceptives, Postcoital; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
D003281:Contraceptives, Postcoital