Factors related to contraceptive methods among female higher education students in Greece.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to determine the prevalence of contraceptive methods and identify factors associated with the use of contraception by Greek female higher education students.


METHODS
Cross-sectional epidemiologic survey on the factors determining the use of contraception among higher educational students.


METHODS
3,624 female students between 18 and 26 years of age.


METHODS
We used primary individualized data drawn from a survey carried among female college students in Greece. The dependent dichotomous variables were the responses "YES" or "NO" to the question: "During the last 12 months, what contraceptive method have you generally used in your sexual intercourses?" The methods were male condoms, oral contraceptive use (OCs) and emergency contraception (EC). The independent variables which were analysed in this survey were socio-demographic characteristics, variables related to lifestyle and variables associated with sexual habits.


RESULTS
Condom was the most widely used (53.87%). The variables associated independently and significantly with a greater likelihood of the use of condoms were condom use at first sexual intercourse, occupational status and higher educational level of parents. As for OCs, those who had relationship, had more than 2 sexual lifetime partners and had ever visited gynecologist (OR 6.40; 95%CI 2.80-9.40) was more likely to use. For the use of EC, those who were older, had relationship, were smokers and had more than 2 sexual lifetime partners (OR 2.15; 95%CI 1.75-2.64), was more likely to use this method.


CONCLUSIONS
Condom is the most used contraceptive method among female higher educational students in Greece, followed by EC. The variable most strongly associated with use of the OCs was a gynecologist visit. The factors associated with use of EC were having more than 2 sexual partners, smoking, and having a stable sexual partner.
Department of Public Health, University of Athens, Faculty of Nursing, Athens, Greece.
Elisavet M
EM
Donadiki
Rodrigo
R
Jimenez-Garcıa
Emmanuel G
EG
Velonakis
Valentın
V
Hernandez-Barrera
Panayota
P
Sourtzi
Ana
A
Lopez de Andres
Isabel
I
Jimenez-Trujillo
Carmen Gallardo
CG
Pino
Pilar
P
Carrasco-Garrido
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003267:Contraception / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D016015:Logistic Models; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013334:Students; D055815:Young Adult
Contraceptive methods; Female college students; Predictors