PRIORITIES FOR CHOOSING CONTRACEPTIVES BY MEDICAL STUDENTS

Purpose: To determine the priorities of contraceptive choices of medical students depending on various factors. Materials and methods: 75 female students of North-Western State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov participated in the study; mean age was 20,5 years, 77% were sexually active. Information was collected using a specially designed questionnaire that included questions about the characteristics of sexual life (duration, number of partners, frequency of partner changes, regularity of sex), methods of contraception and the reasons for their choice, diagnosis and prevention of STIs, the effect of contraception on the menstrual cycle and its characteristics, and sexual life. Pearson criterion at p≤0.05 was applied in data analysis. Female Sexuality Index (FSI) was assessed using The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire. Results: the predominant method of contraception choice among the respondents depending on sexual experience was the barrier method. With increasing sexual experience, the proportion of girls using interrupted intercourse increased and the proportion using hormonal contraception decreased. The predominant contraceptive method among girls who rarely change sexual partners was the condom, while girls with frequent changes in sexual partners preferred to use the standard day method. The reasons for choosing a contraceptive method were the fear of unwanted pregnancy, simplicity and ease of use of the method, and the lack of impact on sexual pleasure. The vast majority of all respondents were primarily afraid of HIV infection, syphilis, and the development of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Girls using hormonal contraception were primarily guided by a doctor's prescription when choosing a method. The majority in this group had a positive effect of the method on the menstrual cycle and a decrease in pain in the mammary glands was observed with the start of contraception. The maximum index of female sexuality was found in the groups of girls using spermicides and the standard days method, and the lowest - in female students not using contraception. Conclusion: barrier and natural methods of contraception were the priority of choice for most of the respondents.