MEDICAL STUDENTS' ATTITUDES TOWARDS CONTRACEPTION

Background: The student population is at higher risk of acquiring sexual transmitted diseases (STDs) and accounts for a higher incidence of unplanned pregnancies due to a combination of lifestyle and environmental reasons. Aim: To determine the attitudes of medical students towards contraception. Methods: A total of 190 students of the School of Medicine of University of Mostar attending four different-academic years participated in this cross-sectional study. Attitudes of participants towards contraception were examined using an anonymous questionnaire. Results: Sexually active students accounted for 61.1% of participants, of which 52.6% regularly used contraception. The most common method of contraception was male condom (90.3%). The main reason for contraception was to avoid pregnancy (64.1%). Students with higher medical education (p<0.001) and students with non-religious views (p=0.004) had positive attitudes towards contraception. There were no gender differences on contraception views. Conclusion: Students with higher medical education and those with non-religious views had positive attitudes towards contraception. Therefore, education on contraception assumes its wider use, which is an important measure to reduce the incidence of STDs and unwanted pregnancies in high-risk population.