Knowledge and practice of contraception among Greek female medical students

Abstract

Objective In Greece, modern contraceptive methods are used on a limited scale. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge as well as the practice of contraception among female medical students in Greece. Study design Knowledge and practice of contraception of 102 female graduating medical students were assessed with a self-administered, anonymous questionnaire. Results Most students were using condoms as the only contraceptive method (45.1%) and 16.7% were not applying any contraceptive method at all. Oral contraceptives were used as only contraceptive means by 4.9% of the students and in combination with condoms by another 4.9%. Condoms were thought to be the most effective contraceptive method available by 28.4% of the students, whereas 4.9% responded that they did not consider any contraceptive method to be effective. Only 55.9% of the students had ever asked their gynaecologist about contraception. Conclusion Much more time should be spent in teaching contraception in the Greek medical schools to ensure the delivery of adequate family planning guidance by future practitioners.