เปรียบเทียบความรู้ ทัศนคติ ความตระหนักและลักษณะการใช้ยาคุมกำเนิดฉุกเฉินในวัยรุ่นชาย Comparison of knowledge, attitudes, awareness and characteristics of emergency contraceptive pill use in male adolescents

Abstract

This was a descriptive study with the objectives to study and compare knowledge, attitudes, awareness and characteristics of emergency contraceptive pill use in male adolescents. The samples were 170 lower and upper secondary school students, aged 13-19 years. They were divided into 2 groups: 85 people per group. The research tools consisted of the questionnaires on personal information, knowledge, attitudes, awareness and characteristics of emergency contraceptive pill use in male adolescents. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and Independent t-test.  

The study indicated that both groups lived with their parents (lower 60% upper 52.9%). They had never talked about girlfriends or lovers, sex or contraception with parents (lower 90.6% upper 84.7%). Both groups had moderate knowledge. Most of them understood that emergency contraceptive pill is effective in preventing pregnancy if it is used within 72 hours after sexual intercourse (lower 38.8% upper 71.8%). When the knowledge of using emergency contraceptive pill was compared, it was found that the knowledge of both groups was not different (p> 0.05).  The mean scores of the attitudes towards the use of emergency contraceptive pill of both groups were positive. The comparison of the attitudes towards emergency contraceptive pill use in both groups revealed that male upper secondary school students  had  positive attitudes  than those in the lower secondary school level with statistical significance at p<0.001. Both groups were aware or recognized the importance of emergency contraceptive pill use when having unprotected sex (lower 76.5% upper 52.9%). When comparing the awareness of using emergency contraceptive pill, it was found that there was a statistically significant difference at p<0.001. According to the characteristics of emergency contraceptive pill, the intention of using emergency contraceptive pill of both groups was at the highest level (lower 43.53% upper 56.47%). Both groups received knowledge of emergency contraceptive pill use from friends (lower 51.8% upper 47.1%), followed by from the Internet (lower 41.2% upper 44.7%).

Therefore, those associated with male adolescents, such as family, school and health personnel, should give the accurate knowledge to male adolescents in order to create a positive attitude and raise awareness to allow them to play a role in supporting their girlfriends or female adolescents in contraception. This can reduce the rate of pregnancy, maternal and infant health problems as well as social problems.