TO INVESTIGATE THE FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CHOICE OF CONTRACEPTIVES AMONG 3RD YEAR MEDICAL STUDENTS AT LUSAKA APEX MEDICAL UNIVERSITY.

Abstract

Background The rate of premarital sexual activity, unwanted pregnancies and illegal abortions remain high among university students. This calls for understanding the knowledge, choice of contraceptives and sexual behaviors among this high-risk group if the incidence of unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS and generally loss of school time among medical students. This study aimed to assess factors influencing choice of contraceptives and use among 3rd year medical students at Lusaka Apex Medical University. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate 3rd year students at Lusaka Apex Medical University. A self-administered questionnaire was given to 384 students of which 107 were retrieved giving a response rate of 27.86%. Data was analyzed using Stata 2014 version which generated the summarized statistics. Results Results showed that (71.03%) of the students were sexually active, with 48.06% already having had their sexual debut when they were between 19-24years of age. All participants had heard or had some knowledge of contraception. 41% of the sexually active were using some contraception of some sort. 43% of the respondents preferred using condoms, pills and abstinence were the most popular methods preferred by the general respondents. It was also found that most students preferred obtaining their contraceptives by either buying their own from pharmacies or shops, from students’ hostel ablutions and from the local clinic/hospital. Conclusion Most students had knowledge of contraception. Despite a minimal percentage of students still not using contraceptives, the rate of contraceptive use was rather high. Majority respondents were sexually active, with the majority having started sexual activity at some point while in medical school. This needs continued advocacy for reproductive health among medical students to promote safe contraceptive use and choice that will reduce unwanted pregnancies, contracting sexually transmitted infections and losing out on school time spent in medical school due to one of the reasons or the other.