Sexual behavior since the AIDS Epidemic - Research Paper Example

Sexual Behavior Since the Aids Pandemic Contraceptive education among college is very important since it enables them to make best choices and avoid unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. United states seem to be larking behind among the developed countries on contraceptive knowledge and use, this call for an effort to educate people on this issue. Many people do not use contraceptives because of misconceptions about contraceptives, negative attitude about contraceptives, failure to recognize the risk of pregnancy, inability to communicate with their partners, disapproval by partners and worry about side effects. Since college students have an understanding of the effects of undesired pregnancies yet many cases are still being reported, it is also important to involve their male counterparts to support the females in making a choice to use contraceptives. College students with high contraceptive attitude do practice the use of contraceptive than those with low attitude. There is a relationship between age and contraceptive use among females with younger women more likely to use them than older women. 1.0. Introduction There is need to understand the use of contraceptive among college students. Such knowledge will help in ensuring that there is enough education to these students on the use of contraceptives. The incidence of unintended pregnancy and the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have increased since the 1980’s (Lundgaard, 2010). Many studies that have been done in the past show that there is a high rate of unintended pregnancies. It is in the US that higher incidencecs of unintended preganancies are found but now days it is a replication all over the globe. However, European teens are more likely to use contraceptives than United States teens therefore lower pregnancy rates that in U.S. (Kaye, 2009). This shows that there is no proper use of contraceptives among college students in the United States. This therefore calls for a study to what could be the cause of such behavior and attitude of contraceptives among college students in the United States. Thesis Statement Many people do not use contraceptives because of misconceptions about contraceptives, negative attitude about contraceptives, failure to recognize the risk of pregnancy, inability to communicate with their partners, disapproval by partners and worry about side effects. 2.0. Literature Review Healthcare providers in the health sector have a task of ensuring that unintended pregnancies are decreased. Also the prevalence of STI’s, should be avoided by improving contraceptive use and education for men and women (Lundgaard, 2009). This should be a very important issue at the moment to the healthcare sector. Causes of Unintended Pregnancies More than 60% of pregnancies among women are unintended which is majorly caused by lack of contraceptive use and contraceptive failure Bryant & Kellie (2012). They further argue that 53% of these pregnancies could have been avoided if women used contraception. The same is also echoed by Byrant (2009) that, there is a greater number of unintended pregnancies in women between the ages of 20 – 24 because they do not use contraceptives and practice unsafe sex. The same is also shown by Kaye (2009) that 19% of females are at risk of unintended pregnancy since they did not use any contraceptive the last time they had intercourse. Also, 90% of college age women who do not use a contraceptive have a chance of becoming pregnant within one year (Kaye, 2009). From these finding, it is clear that a good number of college students do not use contraceptives. The major reasons for lack of use of contraceptives as reported by Bryant & Kellie are (1) Misconceptions about contraceptives (2) Negative attitude about contraception (3) Failure to recognize the risk of pregnancy (4) Inability to communicate with their partner about contraceptives (5) Partners disapprove of contraception and (6) Worried about side effects. Misconceptions about contraceptives have affected many people in the world today. Many have opted not to use them because of what they think would happen to them if they use it. This is more common in the developing world (Chege, 2012). Among misconceptions about contraceptives include; believe that pills have been shown to cause abortion of a 5-day old baby, cancer, premature hypertension, heart disease, etc; IUDs are abortifacient and may cause intrauterine trauma, pelvic infections and ectopic pregnancy; Condoms have high failure rate even against pregnancy and thus do not guarantee protection against AIDS and other STDs. Tubal ligation and vasectomy leave couples without the chance to have more children and little or no support in their old age (Gaston, 2012). 3.0. Methodology Research Approach The study will make use of a qualitative approach in collecting and analyzing primary data. Qualitative research has been associated with an empirical study that is interpretative, thereby implying that variables will be examined in their natural environment without any form of manipulation. A qualitative approach will allow the researcher to understand and associate meaning as to how the participants make sense of their research experience and the availability of preparations for them. The researcher will also be able to establish physical interaction with the subjects, in this case, through the use of one-on-one in-depth interviews as it involves sensitive issues as sexual behavior. Research Method The primary research methodology that will be used is the semi-structured interview that can enable the participants to clarify their answers and be asked to elaborate on these responses, thus more detailed information. This has been deemed suitable for the study as the topic is multi-faceted and will require extensive analysis based on the actual experiences and explanations of the interviewees, especially with the absence of predetermined responses found in highly structured survey questionnaires used in quantitative studies. With a smaller sample size from college students, a more in-depth and comprehensive analysis can be obtained. My aim is to exert efforts in establishing rapport with the interviewees in order to encourage them to truthfully express their feelings, thoughts and ideas as opposed to what is deemed acceptable. 4.0. Findings and Discussion On college students, Byrant had the following finding from her research with a sample of female college students; ‘Students who were sexually active in the last three months and were not current contraceptive users (n = 63) stated the following reasons for not using birth control: worried about side effects (26.3%), health concerns (18.8%), have had intercourse in the last three months but not currently sexually active (17.5%), other (13.8%), opposed to birth control (6.3%), partner opposed (5%), want children (5%), currently pregnant (3.8%), cost too much (2.5%), and lack knowledge (1.3%) Byrant (2009).’ Bryant’s research being have done in a college setting, it clearly shows that many college students do not use contraceptives because of side effects related to these contraceptives. A good number also have health concerns, while did not have any sexual intercourse in the last three months. The other causes had less significance. A report by Guttmacher Institute (2012) shows that more than 99% of women between the ages 15 – 44 who have ever had sexual intercourse have used at least one contraceptive method. College students fall under this age bracket and it is evident that contraceptive use among college students is a common practice in the United States. There is an alarmingly high rate of unintended pregnancy in the United States, despite the availability of many forms of contraception (Lundgaard, 2010). This means that despite the availability of contraception, people do not use it and therefore leading to these pregnancies. From this, we can get to know that the people affected most are college students since they are the ones who are sexually active. There is a need therefore to educate the college students on the use of contraceptive as to avoid these unintended pregnancies (Lundgaard). From this it is clear that college students do not have proper knowledge on the use of contraceptive. All college students know that unplanned pregnancy would interfere with their goals. Many of the college students are not yet ready to become parents. As reported by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unwanted Pregnancies (2012) 82% of students use birth contraceptives because having a child while still in school would make their goals harder to accomplish, this was the answer by many of the college students to why they use contraceptives. One student is reported to have said, “Pregnancy is like the biggest thing because if I get pregnant, that’s going to mess up my future, my school… it’s like the foundation of my failure.” Kaye, Suellentrop & Sloup (2009). The other reasons for using contra­ception included not being emotionally, psychologically, or financially prepared for parenthood; concerns about family’s or parent’s reaction to a pregnancy; not wanting to repeat the mistakes of their parents, other family members, or friends; and fear of catching a sexually transmitted infection (Kaye et al, 2009). Contraceptive attitude among college students A research done by Lundgaard among a sample of male college students showed that the men who used contraceptives during every sexual act within the past three months had a higher contraceptive attitude score than those who only used contraceptives intermittently or not at all (Lundgaard, 2010). The same study done by Bryant (2009) using college females had the same result. The two studies show that use of contraceptive is a common practice among college students. Kaye et al (2009) suggests that men should be supportive to their partners in the use of contraceptives. This is because the options for men are so limited and therefore most of the birth control is left to the females. A female student said; “If you’re afraid to go to the clinic and get more birth control, or like, your boyfriend went with you to get condoms so that you could be more comfortable with it. Just involved in general, both parties involved and committed to it. That really helps.” Kaye (2009). A research by Lundgaard (2009) also says that, when men are showed the importance of reproductive health issues, then they will be more supportive to their partners on these issues. Therefore as college students, applying approaches that tend to encourage each other will help in making decisions to do with the use of contraceptive use. From a case reported by Lundgaard (2009) about patients who tested positive for a certain STD, a group or college students and patients at a certain clinic were compared. The issues that were compared were the groups’ knowledge on benefits of using a condom, knowledge about AIDS and high risk sexual behaviors. The results showed that 87% of college students were sexually active, and 60% of these did not use a condom. “Beliefs about disease, pregnancy, worry, and normative influences of sexual partner and friends had the strongest impact on college students influencing condom use” (Lundgaard, 2009). As earlier stated, Bryant showed that female college students who used contraceptives during every sexual act within the last three months had a higher contraceptive attitude score that those who did not. This positive attitude towards contraceptive use enhanced its use (Bryant 2009). Another factor that affected the use of contraceptives among female students was age. She found out that Younger women had an increased use of condom, while older women were less likely to use any birth control at all (Bryant 2009). Use of Contraceptives by College Students According to Bryant (2009) increased condom use was among younger women. This may be contributed to younger women being less likely to be married or in a long term relationship. Another reason for this is that younger women are more likely to use condoms due to concerns about protection against sexually transmitted infections. The same findings also showed that junior students are more likely to use condoms while students with more years in college were more likely to use birth control (Bryant 2009). Condom is the most common contraceptive method used at first intercourse; 68% of females and 80% of males use it the first time they have sex (Kaye, 2009). These finding by Kaye shows that more males use condoms than females. The reason could be that females have many options of contraceptives while male have less options making condoms a major choice. In 2006–2010, some 96% of sexually experienced female teens had used a condom at least once, 57% had ever used withdrawal and 56% had used the pill. Smaller proportions had used other methods. During this period also, one in five sexually active female teens (20%) and one-third of sexually active male teens (34%) reported having used both the condom and a hormonal method the last time they had sex. Dual method use offers protection against both pregnancy and STI’s (Kaye, 2009). This shows that as much as condom is the most widely used form of contraceptive among male and females, withdrawal is also common among teenage females. It also shows that hormonal methods are also commonly used. 5.0. Conclusion In conclusion, it is important to know that college students need to be enlightened. It is always thought that they are aware of contraception yet studies show that they need to be enlightened on the importance of using contraceptives. Since we have seen from this study and other researches done on contraception in college students, it is important have a clear way of reaching to them and make them understand more on this issue. One of the things that need to be emphasized when educating the college students on contraception is the involvement of the male. Since it is reported that when they get more knowledge about contraception, they can be very supportive. It is therefore important for healthcare providers to involve men so much in handling this issue. When college students become have a positive attitude towards contraception, it will become easier for them to understand and use contraceptives. The approaches and types of contraceptives also do matter depending on the age and sex of the college students. Whereas younger students prefer the use of condoms, the older students prefer other birth control methods. The aged women also do not use contraceptives as frequently as the younger ones since they seem not to care much. Having such knowledge on the perception of different age brackets and sexes helps in determining how to reach to them and what kind of information is needed by each group. 6.0. References Bryant, K. D. (2009). Contraceptive use and attitudes among female college students. U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health. University of Brooklyn, NY. Retrieved 2 Dec. 2012 from http://www.traveldoctoronline.net/contraceptive-use-and-attitudes-among-female-college-students-MTkyNzgxODI=.htm Bryant, R.N. and Kellie, D., (2012). Contraceptive Attitudes among Female College Students. PowerPoint. Web. 2 Dec. 2012 from http://www.google.co.ke/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&cad=rja&ved=0CEUQFjAD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcontent.iriss.org.uk%2Fpepe2008%2Ffiles%2F512.ppt&ei=SlK8UJCXG863hAerwoGwAw&usg=AFQjCNFdA5Hvyofr3lixx0d5Zl6nweD7aw Gregory D. Gaston. (2012). Excerpt from Misconceptions and Clarifications on Issues Related to Humane Vitae and the Reproductive Health Bill in Philippine Congress. Nurturing the Filipino Family. Retrieved 2 Dec. 2012 from http://family.healthypinoy.com/ Gutmacher Institute.(2012). Facts on American Teens’ Sexual and Reproductive Health. Retrieved 3 Dec. 2012 from www.guttmacher.org Kaye, K., Suellentrop, K., and Sloup, C. (2009). The Fog Zone: How Misperceptions, Magical Thinking, and Ambivalence Put Young Adults at Risk for Unplanned Pregnancy. Washington, DC: The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. Lindsey J. Lundgaard, (2010). Contraceptive use and attitudes of male college students. A Clinical Paper. University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901-8621. Retrieved 2 Dec. 2012 from http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/48044 Njoki, C. Contraceptives: Myths and misconceptions. Standard Digital. Sunday, July 15 2012 Read More