Original Research
Saturday, October 12, 2024
11:30 AM–01:00 PM
Abstract
Introduction: Decreasing the 41.6% unintended pregnancy rate, which is high (51.1%) among college-aged women 20-24 years old, is a Healthy People 2030 goal. Reproductive health literacy is low among college students. Pharmacy delivered college sex education programs could increase knowledge and safe sex behaviors.
Research Question or Hypothesis: Do college reproductive health programs increase students’ contraception and safe sex knowledge?
Study Design: Pre/post surveys
Methods: Trained student pharmacists offered 12 one-hour health education programs on fertility, contraception and emergency contraception via live and Zoom presentations. A 10-item reproductive health quiz was created and piloted to college students. Attendees used a code to anonymously complete the pre-survey (quiz plus six demographic items) and post-survey (quiz plus 12 program evaluation items). Matched surveys were analyzed with descriptive, paired T-test and Wilcoxon signed rank test statistics using SPSS v29; p<0.05 significant.
Results: 128 students attended a seminar with 113 completing both surveys (88.3% response). Students were 22.3+4.4 years old, 85% female, and 30% non-White. Post quiz scores were significantly higher than pre (84% v. 56%, respectively, p = <.001). Significant changes were
|
Pre % correct |
Post % correct |
P-value |
| Sperm lifespan |
29.2% |
85.0% |
<.001 |
| Fertilization time |
56.6% |
93.8% |
<.001 |
| Missed birth control pill |
41.6% |
79.6% |
.013 |
| Plan B® effectiveness window |
60.2% |
89.4% |
<.001 |
| Male condom use |
49.6% |
94.7% |
<.001 |
| Prescription contraception access |
84.1% |
96.5% |
.001 |
Attendees would recommend #PlanA seminars to other students (97.1%). They agreed the student pharmacists were knowledgeable (99%) and respectful (96.2%), the program was fair and unbiased (97.2%), information was helpful to prevent unintended pregnancies (97.2%), and reproductive health and safe sex knowledge greatly increased (98.2%).
Conclusion: College students had reproductive health and safe sex behavior knowledge gaps that were corrected from student pharmacist delivered reproductive health campus presentations. Student pharmacists were well received as presenters. Pharmacy professionals have an important role in reproductive health.
Presenting Author
Marisa Marcath PharmD CandidateWayne State University, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Authors
Kayla Craig PharmD Candidate
Wayne State University, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Mary Beth O'Connell PharmD
Wayne State University, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences