A group of university male students’ approach towards
unwanted pregnancy
D Aslan1, A Akin1, G Saka2
1Hacettepe University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of
Public Health, Ankara, Turkey, and 2Dicle University, Faculty of Medicine,
Department of Public Health, Diyarbakir, Turkey
Objective In this study it was aimed to determine the
first grade male students’ approach towards unwanted pregrancy.
Design and methods Two universities in Turkey (Hacettepe
and Dicle) were included in the study. The aim of conducting the research in two
different provinces was to determine whether lifestyle, socio-economic, and
cultural structure of these two provinces has different influences on thoughts
and perceptions of adolescents related to sexual and reproductive health issues.
A combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods was used in the
research. The total study population (males and females) for quantitative
research was 2179 in Hacettepe University and 2163 in Diyarbakir Dicle
University. The response rates were for the total study was 82.1% (Hacettepe)
and 86.8% (Dicle). Qualitative part was conducted to form the questionnaire of
the study.
Results There were 718 males at Hacettepe University and
1185 at Dicle University. The majority of the males at Hacettepe University
(44.7%) stated that “induced abortion should be conducted” if unwanted
pregnacy takes place. The second frequent answer for this question was “pregnancy
should be continued in any condition (24.9%)”. Partners should get married
(21.9%). The first two answers were different in Dicle University. The most
frequent answer for this statement was “marriage(37.6%)”. Induced
abortion was secondly stated (20.9%). The prevalence of experiencing unwanted
pregnancy in a previous sexual relationship was 7.7% in Hacettepe University and
it was 7.5% in Dicle University.
Conclusion There were differences between universities
with regard to “unwanted pregnancy”. Cultural factors might have
influenced students’ perceptions and behaviors. Although there were differences,
the male students’ perspectives in both universities about unwanted pregnancy
need to be improved.