Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives among Clinical Sciences Students, University of Bradford, UK

Aim: To investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practice of Clinical Sciences students at the University of Bradford, UK towards Long-acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs).

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the KAP (knowledge, attitude and practice) of LARC among Clinical Sciences students at the University of Bradford, UK during Jan-Feb 2016. Female students of all stages (Foundation year, Year 1 to Year 3; n=228) of Clinical Sciences Department were invited to participate in the study. A self-completed paper-based questionnaire was developed by the researcher and 147 questionnaires were completed.

Results: Low uptake of LARCs (10.2%) and knowledge of contraceptive efficacy were found. Students reported contraceptive efficacy as the most important factor considered for contraceptive choice. Students were highly likely to use emergency contraception (78.9%) but unlikely to terminate an unwanted pregnancy (39.5%).

Conclusion: Students’ knowledge of contraception requires improvement to maximise the uptake of LARCs and thus student welfare. Further research is also required.