Publicação
Trajectories that lead or not to pregnancy or voluntary iterruption of pregnancy in university students in Portugal
| Resumo: | A self-administered questionnaire was carried out among university students in Portugal, with the aim to have better knowledge of students’ (a) sexual behaviours and contraception use and identify trajectories that lead to pregnancy or voluntary interruption of pregnancy (VIP). The study provided national representative data of 3.278 university students in Portugal, between 18 and 35 years old. The sample included 70% women and 30% men. The mean age was 21 years old. The majority of students are Portuguese, single, catholic, heterosexual and have had sexual intercourse. The majority had their first sexual intercourse at the age of 16 or later, used condom as their first contraceptive method and usually used the pill and condom. Concerning unintended pregnancies and abortions, it was found that a minority of students reported having had at least one of them. Therefore, there was a minority, but worthy of concern, group of students at risk, which may suggest that protective behaviours are not consistent or they are abandoned over time. Based on this study and its results, inconsistent contraceptive use is identified. Nine trajectories were identified; seven of which leading to pregnancy or VIP. Findings from the current research have practical implications for both contraceptive education and STI prevention among college students. University students in particular face new challenges in sexual health and need more comprehensive education aimed at promoting healthy decision-making about family planning and STI prevention. |
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| Autores principais: | Reis, Marta |
| Outros Autores: | Ramiro, Lúcia; Matos, MG |
| Assunto: | Contraception Pregnancy Voluntary interruption of pregnancy Young people |
| Ano: | 2016 |
| País: | Portugal |
| Tipo de documento: | artigo |
| Tipo de acesso: | acesso aberto |
| Instituição associada: | Universidade de Lisboa |
| Idioma: | inglês |
| Origem: | Repositório da Universidade de Lisboa |
| Resumo: | A self-administered questionnaire was carried out among university students in Portugal, with the aim to have better knowledge of students’ (a) sexual behaviours and contraception use and identify trajectories that lead to pregnancy or voluntary interruption of pregnancy (VIP). The study provided national representative data of 3.278 university students in Portugal, between 18 and 35 years old. The sample included 70% women and 30% men. The mean age was 21 years old. The majority of students are Portuguese, single, catholic, heterosexual and have had sexual intercourse. The majority had their first sexual intercourse at the age of 16 or later, used condom as their first contraceptive method and usually used the pill and condom. Concerning unintended pregnancies and abortions, it was found that a minority of students reported having had at least one of them. Therefore, there was a minority, but worthy of concern, group of students at risk, which may suggest that protective behaviours are not consistent or they are abandoned over time. Based on this study and its results, inconsistent contraceptive use is identified. Nine trajectories were identified; seven of which leading to pregnancy or VIP. Findings from the current research have practical implications for both contraceptive education and STI prevention among college students. University students in particular face new challenges in sexual health and need more comprehensive education aimed at promoting healthy decision-making about family planning and STI prevention. |
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