Métodos contraceptivos e intenções reprodutivas em universitárias da área da saúde da Universidade de Rio Verde, Goiás

Abstract

Objectives: to investigate the use of contraception, to verify the factors associated with the use of hormonal contraceptive methods and to analyze the reproductive intentions of university women in the center-west of Brazil. Methodology: cross-sectional school-based study with female health university students aged 18 years or older, with sexual activity, and regularly enrolled in the institution. The research instrument was the application of a standardized, pre-coded, self-administered questionnaire, and the fieldwork was carried out between October and December 2018. Data were entered in the Epi Data 3.1 program and analyzed in the STATA 12.0 statistical program. . The results were described using absolute and relative frequencies and Poisson regression with robust variance was used according to a conceptual model of analysis to verify associations with the use of hormonal contraceptives, and multinomial logistic regression to investigate the association of independent variables with reproductive intentions . Those who reached a p value of up to 0.20 entered the adjustment model, remaining in the model when they reached a significance level of 0.05. Results: The prevalence of the use of contraception in general was 85.9% (95%CI 83.3 to 87.2), and the most used contraceptive methods were the contraceptive pill (66.5%) and the male condom (43.9%). University students aged 23 to 24 years, living with friends, of economic class A and without religion, were more likely to use hormonal contraceptives. Most women reported the intention of having one or two children (65.1%), and the minority expressed a desire not to have children (9.6%). Among the women who responded that they wished to have one or two children, most were 25 years of age or older, white, low economic class, marital status with a partner, Catholic religion and not studying medicine or dentistry. Women in the medical school, Protestants/Evangelicals and contraceptive users reported a greater desire to have three or more children when compared with women who were studying dentistry or other health courses, with Catholics, and with non-users of contraceptive methods. Conclusions: in the university environment, contraceptive practices are still limited to a low diversity of methods, as well as many paradoxes in relation to reproductive intentions, therefore, current, prospective studies with representative samples are necessary to monitor trends and assist in the planning of actions. focused on sexual and reproductive orientation.