Contraceptive behavior of Portuguese higher education students

ABSTRACT Objective: To characterize the contraceptive practices of higher education students and to identify factors that contribute to the use of different contraceptive methods. Method: A cross-sectional, descriptive correlational study was carried out with a sample of 1946 students, with a mean age of 21 years (20.74±2.32), who attended courses at a University in the North of Portugal. Results: Of the factors studied, the female gender, younger ages, previous behavior of condom use, knowledge about contraception, attitude and self-efficacy for condom use were associated with safer contraceptive choices. Conclusion: Investing in sexual education for young people is an important public health strategy that can empower youth to make more appropriate choices and improve adherence to contraceptive methods, reducing the risk of unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.

摘要
研究目的：阐明高等教育学生的避孕行为现状，并明确影响其采用不同避孕方式的相关因素。
研究方法：本研究为横断面描述性相关性研究，纳入葡萄牙北部某高校的1946名在校学生作为研究样本，其平均年龄为21岁（均值±标准差：20.74±2.32）。
研究结果：在本次研究考察的诸多因素中，女性性别、较低年龄、既往安全套使用行为、避孕相关知识储备、安全套使用态度及自我效能感，均与更安全的避孕选择存在显著关联。
研究结论：针对青少年群体开展性教育是一项重要的公共卫生策略，可赋能青少年做出更为合理的避孕决策，提升其对避孕方式的依从性，进而降低非意愿妊娠与性传播疾病的发生风险。