Contraception use history as a determinant of college students' assessment of selected contraception methods

Background: Because college students are sexually active, preventing unintended pregnancy is an important health objective met through acceptable and effective contraception. However, preordinate attitudes and beliefs about contraception may influence acceptance or rejection of some methods. Purpose: This study examined the semantic meanings assigned to contraception options by undergraduate students (n= 792) at two large southeastern universities in relationship to their actual user experience. Significance: Ever users' and never users' beliefs about a given method may manifest themselves in either wise or poor contraception decisions. Methods: Twelve contraception options were rated on 40 seven-point semantic differential scales (ranging from -3 to +3). Scales were summed and mean sum scores for ever users and never users of the respective methods were compared using t-tests. Results: Among women, Nuva ring, oral contraceptive, abstinence, contraceptive patch, withdrawal, and douche received significantly higher acceptability scores among ever users than among never users (P < 0.05). Among men, Nuva ring, oral contraceptive, emergency contraception, male condom, and withdrawal received significantly more positive acceptability scores among ever users than never users (P < 0.05). Conclusions: More favorable evaluation of selected contraception options is associated with previous use, even for some high-risk methods (e.g., withdrawal and douche). This study builds on other attempts to monitor and track attitudes about contraception. Improving understanding of the dimensions across which potential users judge contraception and how these dimensions relate to prior use may be beneficial in fostering communication between potential users and healthcare practitioners who counsel students about these methods.