title: Contraceptive non-use and associated factors among university students in 22 countries.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to investigate contraceptive non-use and associated factors (socio-demographics, sexual behaviour, internal assets and mental health) among undergraduate university students in 22 countries.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using anonymous questionnaires, data was collected from 16979 undergraduate university students (mean age 20.8, SD=2.8) from 23 universities in 22 countries.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the total sample of 16979 undergraduate university students, 7032 (41.9%) reported to have been sexually active in the past 12 months. Of those who had been sexually active, 42.6% reported never (42.7% among male and 42.6% among female students) using contraceptives in the past 12 months. In multivariate regression analysis, among both men and women, younger age, religious affiliation (Hindu; and among women only being Muslim), intrinsic religiosity, and sexually protective behaviour were associated with contraceptive non-use. Lack of internal assets (among men, low life satisfaction and lack of personal control, and among women low personal mastery) ; among women not having depressive symptoms and among men having PTSD symptoms were associated with contraceptive non-use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low contraceptive use was found and several factors identified as associated with contraceptive non-use may help guide intervention efforts.
authors.affiliation: ASEAN Institute for Health Development, Madidol University, Salaya, Phutthamonthon, Nakhonpathom, Thailand, 73170; Department of Psychology, University of Limpopo, Turfloop, Sovenga 0727, South Africa; HIV, STIs and TB (HAST) Research programme, Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), Pretoria 0001, South Africa.
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Peltzer
authors.affiliation: ASEAN Institute for Health Development, Madidol University, Salaya, Phutthamonthon, Nakhonpathom, Thailand, 73170; Department of Research, University of Limpopo, Turfloop, Sovenga 0727, South Africa.
authors.forename: Supa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pengpid
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003267:Contraception / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011275:Pregnancy, Unwanted; D012067:Religion; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Birth control; internal assets; mental health; multi-country; practice; sexual variables; socio-demographic factors; undergraduate students