An exploratory study of the factors associated with use of contraceptive methods in young Chilean women aged 17–29 years

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveTo explore factors related to the use of contraceptive methods in young Chilean women with higher education.MethodsUsing the 9th Chilean National Youth Survey, multinomial models were conducted to predict contraceptive methods used during the last intercourse among sexually initiated female college students aged 17–29 years who had already completed high school (n = 1828).ResultsThe results indicate that using contraceptive methods at onset sexual activity was positively associated with the use of all contraceptive methods (relative risk ratio [RRR]immediate = 3.97, RRRdaily = 2.95, RRRlong‐term = 1.82, P < 0.05). Having a previous unintended pregnancy increased the odds of using long‐term contraceptive methods (RRR = 2.13, P < 0.05). Increased age of sexual initiation was associated with increased odds of using immediate contraception methods (RRRadolescence = 2.57, RRRyoung adulthood = 3.75, P < 0.05). Substance use was not associated with contraception methods used. Medium socioeconomic status, compared with high, decreased the odds of using immediate and daily contraceptive methods (RRR = 0.26, P < 0.05 for both). Low socioeconomic status was associated with decreased odds of using daily contraception (RRR = 0.39, P < 0.05). Finally, incomplete (RRR = 2.21, P < 0.05) or complete (RRR = 2.38, P < 0.05) professional education increased the odds of immediate contraceptive methods.ConclusionsTo generate family planning policies aimed at university students, individual factors related to sexual behavior should be addressed in accordance with the local reality and with a gender focus.