Factors affecting the utilisation of family planning services amongst nursing undergraduate students
1
College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2175
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The consequences of unplanned pregnancies in a university population are a global public health concern. There are immediate, and long-term, detrimental physical, mental and social effects on both parents and infants. This negatively affects academic advancement and, hence, future employment opportunities. Despite the freely available family planning services at the Howard College campus, University of KwaZulu-Natal, there appears to be an increase in the number of unplanned pregnancies. This study aimed to determine the factors affecting the utilisation of family planning services amongst nursing undergraduate students at the institution
METHODS:
A descriptive cross-sectional survey using a structured, self-administered questionnaire was undertaken. All 316 students registered in 2023 were invited to participate. A Likert scale was used to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices of the respondents regarding the uptake and utilisation of available contraception. Descriptive and analytical statistics per the study objectives were conducted
RESULTS:
Three hundred and sixteen undergraduate students responded, giving a response rate of 95%. The majority of the students were Christian, black females between the ages of 18-23 in their second year of study who resided in university accommodations. Respondents had a positive attitude toward family planning. Knowledge of contraception and awareness of the benefits were, however, not commensurate with actual use among undergraduate students. Possible reasons for this were the fear of side effects, social stigma and the perceived negative attitude of healthcare workers. Utilisation increased with progressive years of study, indicating that education had a positive effect on practice, and the oral contraceptive pill was reported as the most frequently used contraceptive
CONCLUSIONS:
Knowledge and awareness of family planning do not always predict behaviour. There is a need for the implementation of effective and innovative strategies that support behaviour change so as to increase uptake and use of contraception
The consequences of unplanned pregnancies in a university population are a global public health concern. There are immediate, and long-term, detrimental physical, mental and social effects on both parents and infants. This negatively affects academic advancement and, hence, future employment opportunities. Despite the freely available family planning services at the Howard College campus, University of KwaZulu-Natal, there appears to be an increase in the number of unplanned pregnancies. This study aimed to determine the factors affecting the utilisation of family planning services amongst nursing undergraduate students at the institution
METHODS:
A descriptive cross-sectional survey using a structured, self-administered questionnaire was undertaken. All 316 students registered in 2023 were invited to participate. A Likert scale was used to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices of the respondents regarding the uptake and utilisation of available contraception. Descriptive and analytical statistics per the study objectives were conducted
RESULTS:
Three hundred and sixteen undergraduate students responded, giving a response rate of 95%. The majority of the students were Christian, black females between the ages of 18-23 in their second year of study who resided in university accommodations. Respondents had a positive attitude toward family planning. Knowledge of contraception and awareness of the benefits were, however, not commensurate with actual use among undergraduate students. Possible reasons for this were the fear of side effects, social stigma and the perceived negative attitude of healthcare workers. Utilisation increased with progressive years of study, indicating that education had a positive effect on practice, and the oral contraceptive pill was reported as the most frequently used contraceptive
CONCLUSIONS:
Knowledge and awareness of family planning do not always predict behaviour. There is a need for the implementation of effective and innovative strategies that support behaviour change so as to increase uptake and use of contraception
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
