University Men’s Perceptions of Emergency Contraception

Abstract

Objective: Current research on emergency contraceptive needs and usage is centered on females’ experiences and perspectives. The purpose of this study is to gain more insight into
men’s understanding of Emergency Contraception (EC).
Study Design: 126 undergraduate students from two universities completed quantitative
surveys that measured men’s thoughts about EC use, experiences with EC, relationship and
sexual status, visitation to health care providers, and participants’ knowledge of reproductive
and sexual health.
Results: Most participants in this study had knowledge of sexual health, reproductive health,
and contraceptives but demonstrated lower knowledge of EC. Although participant knowledge
of EC was lower, with only about two-thirds of the participants able to answer the true/false
questions regarding EC accurately. Seventy-eight percent of participants stated that they did
not have moral objections to EC. The majority of participants had two or less sexual partners
and used condoms (n=81) as their primary method of birth control. Although participants knew
about contraception choices, many participants were unaware, misinformed, and confused
about EC.
Conclusion: Study results indicate that more research should be conducted to further understand
men’s knowledge and experience with EC. Since males and females hold responsibility in
accessing EC when engaging in unprotected sex and if an unintended pregnancy is possible,
it is important that interventions and programs address male’s involvement with and accurate
knowledge of EC. By creating interventions for men around this issue, males are in a better
position to control their own fertility and to have optimal sexual health.