Knowledge and use of emergency contraception in secondary school students in Guimarães

Abstract

Background: Emergency contraception (EC) is the only method that can be used after intercourse to prevent pregnancy. This is particularly important for adolescents who associate impulsiveness and instability of feelings with inexperience in contraceptions behavior. Objective: To evaluate adolescents knowledge, attitudes and experience towards this contraceptive method of resource. Methodology: Cross-sectional study, in which a random sample of 419 girls of secondary school, from a population of 1.559 pupils of Guimarães, Portugal, intermediate schools was studied in 2003, through anonymous questionnaires. T Test was used to compare means and _2 test to compare ratios. Results: 394 (94,3%) pupils were aware of the existence of EC. Of these, 54 (15,8%) knew proper time of its use. 241 (61,8%) considered it safe; 293 (75,3%) found it effective. For 261 (66,6%) media was the main source of information. Of the 80 (19,1%) sexually active pupils, 41,3% usually used condom and 30% had already used EC. Older pupils knew EC more than the younger ones (p<0,05). Discussion/Conclusions: The majority of Guimarães intermediate schools pupils had already heard about EC but few were correctly informed of its characteristics. The ratios use was similar to the ones found in other countries. It is necessary that female adolescents to acquire more specific knowledge on these methods. Family Physician must have a more active role in this subject.