Use of oral contraceptives by university students

Abstract

The use of contraceptive measures has grown exponentially in recent decades, so that oral contraceptives have become popular all over the world. However, the Brazilian population still faces difficulties in accessing these drugs, as well as a lack of information about their use, thus hindering adherence and rational use. This highlights the importance of providing guidance in order to ensure adherence and proper use of these medicines. In view of this, this study aims to assess the use and level of knowledge about the use of oral contraceptives in the academic community. This is a qualitative-quantitative study, of the survey type, carried out by applying an online questionnaire made available on the Google Forms® tool and disseminated to the academic community of the Integrated University Center of Campo Mourão. A total of 106 participants took part in the survey over a six-month period, the vast majority of whom were undergraduate or postgraduate students at a private higher education institution, aged between 18 and 20. There was a high prevalence of participants who had been using combined oral contraceptives for 1-5 years, which came from medical prescription due to the search for a contraceptive method, irregular menstrual cycle and polycystic ovary. The use of oral contraceptives should be prescribed in advance by a trained health professional in order to ensure their safe and appropriate use, preventing adverse effects and contraindications.