A GROUP OF MALE

STUDENTS’ APPROACH

TOWARDS UNWANTED

PREGNANCIES?

Aslan D*, Akın A*, Saka G**.

*Hacettepe University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Public Health

**Dicle University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Public Health

This project was supported by World

Health Organization (WHO/HRP)

project number:

A05153 “Situation of and Influencing

Factors on Sexual and Reproductive

Health of Adolescents in Turkey”

Background-1

Unsafe abortion is a serious public health problem and

one of the major causes of preventable maternal

deaths1

It is typically males who are the key decision-makers on

the timing of sexual activity and contraceptive usage2

Studies from several countries showed that significant

percent of sexually active adolescent boys reported

causing pregnancy3

Contradiction between men’s refusal

to take responsibility for

contraception is a key factor for

unwanted pregnancies4

People are usually quite aware of

medical risks of abortion5

Socio-cultural teaching of gender

roles of the communities has

influence on the sexual behaviors of

the individuals 5

Background-2

Objective:

to determine the first grade

male students’ approach

towards unwanted pregnancy.

Study design and sample-1

The study was carried out in 2001-2002 in two cities

(Ankara, Diyarbakır).

The first year students of Hacettepe University Beytepe Campus (Ankara) and Dicle University Campus (Diyarbakır) composed the research group.

Qualitative and quantitative research methods were used.

Qualitative part was conducted to form the questionnaire.

Study design and sample-2

The study population for quantitative

research was 2179 in Hacettepe

University and 2163 in Diyarbakır Dicle

University. The response rates were

82.1% (Hacettepe) and 86.8% (Dicle).

718 male students at Hacettepe

University (HU) and 1185 male students

at Dicle University (DU) were surveyed.

Study design and sample-3

FINDINGS………………….

Characteristics HU DU

  n % n %

Sex        

Female 1071 59.9 692 36.9

Male 718 40.1 1185 63.1

Total 1789 100.0 1877 100.0

Age groups

15-19 926 52.2 661 36.0

20-24 838   47.2 1109 60.3

25+ 11 0.6 68 3.7

Total* 1775  100.0 1838 100.0 mean:19.7±1.3median:19.0; min-max=16-34

mean=20.4±1.96 median:20.0; min-max=15-38

Table 1. Sex and age group of the students (HU, DU, May- 2001)

*14 students at HU and 39 students at DU did not report age.

Table 2. Selected characteristics of the male students (HU, DU, May- 2001)

HU DU

Characteristics n(%) n(%)

Age group

15-19 301 (42.7) 343(30.0)

20-24 396(56.2) 746(65.2)

25+ 8(1.1) 35(4.8)

Marital status

Not married 693(96.8) 1135(96.5)

Married 2(0.3) 25(2.1)

Live with boy-girl friend, fiance 12(2.9) 16(1.4)

Nuclear family

Yes 1547(86.8) 897(78.5)

No 235(13.2) 246(21.5)

Table 3. Selected characteristics of the male students (HU, DU, May- 2001)

HU DU

Characteristics n(%) n(%)

Live

at dormitory 274(38.5) 281(24.3)

with family 132(18.5) 326(28.2)

with friends 240(33.7) 453(39.2)

with relatives 36(5.0) 63(5.4)

alone (at home) 21(2.9) 22(1.9)

at other institutions’ guest-house 5(0.7) 4(0.4)

with sibling(s) 5(0.6) 7(0.6)

Socio-economic status of the family

Rich 54(7.6) 32(2.9)

Average 597(84.8) 813(73.9)

Poor 54 (7.6) 255(23.2)

Table 4. Sexual experinces of the male students (HU, DU, May- 2001)

HU DU

Experience n(%) n(%)

Sexual intercourse (n) 718 1185

Yes 92(12.8) 152(12.8)

No 233(32.5) 432(36.5)

Did not answer 393(54.7) 601(50.7)

Partner’s pregnancy (n) 651 844

No 597(91.7) 764(90.5)

Yes 50 (7.7) 63(7.5)

No partner 4(0.6) 10(1.2)

Do not know -(-) 7(0.8)

Table 5. Thoughts of the male students’ about unwanted pregnancy (HU, DU, May- 2001)

HU DU

Thoughts about “how to behave in case of unwanted pregnancy”

n(%) n(%)

Pregnancy should be ended with induced abortion 321(44.7) 248(20.9)

Marry with partner 157(21.9) 446(37.6)

Continue pregnancy in any case 179(24.9) 224(18.9)

Break up with partner 14(1.9) 24(2.0)

Depends on the situation 31(4.3) 14(1.2)

Pregnancy may be ended with induced abortion if possible 3(0.4) 3(3.0)

Women should be punished !!!! 1(0.1) 2(0.2)

Pregnancy should not have been experienced, family planning methods should have been used

1(0.1) 6(0.9)

To me, it is not acceptable to become pregnant before marriage in terms of moral values

1(0.1) 2(0.2)

Do not know 9(1.3) 9(0.8)

Ask a consultant what to do 7(1.0) 5(0.4)

Conclusion

Different approaches with regard to “unwanted

pregnancy” observed between the two

universities.

Cultural factors might have influenced students’

perceptions and behaviors.

Although there were differences, the males’

perspectives in both universities about unwanted

pregnancy need to be improved.

Acccess to sexual education is evidently the most

effective means against unwanted pregnancy.

Young male population should be reached for

their S/RH education

Recommendation

Acccess to sexual education is

evidently the most effective means

against unwanted pregnancy5.

For this reason, this opportunity

should be provided to the students

for favourable changes in their

behaviors and attitudes related to

unwanted pregnancy.

What has been done after the study?

Youth Counselling Units were

established at two universities...

These units provide counseling and

clinical services on sexual and

reproductive health for the students...

Some other in-depth studies have been

carried out to find the ways how to

increase “male involvement in RH”

The Authors thanks to the other members of our study team:

Prof. Şevkat Bahar-Özvarış

Assoc. Prof. Melikşah Ertem

Assoc. Prof. Nalan Şahin-Hodoğlugil

Çiğdem Esin

Kezban Çelik

THANK YOU

Selected references

1. Faundes A, Duarte GA, Neto JA, Souse MH. The Closer You Are, the Better You

Understand: The Reaction of Brazilian Obstetrician-Gynaecologists to Unwanted

Pregnancy. Reproductive Health Matters 2004; 12 (24 Supp): 47-56.

2. Nzoika C. Perspectives of Adolescent Boys on the Risk of Unwanted Pregnancy and

Sexually Transmitted Infections: Kenya. Reproductive Health Matters 2001; 9 (17):

108-117.

3. Erulkar AS, Karueru JPM, Kaggwa G et al. Adolescent Experiences and Lifestyles in

Central Province, Kenya. New York, Population Council.

4. Yang X, Yukun H, LiJunB, Xiuhua J. Determinants of Unwanted Pregnancy and

Abortion in Beijing, China. Reproductive Health Matters 1995; 3 (5): 95-103.

5. Berglund S, Liljestrand J, Marin FDM, Salgado N, Zeleya E. The Background of

Adolescent Pregnancies in Nicaragua: A Qualitative Approach. Soc. Sci Med 1997;

44(1): 1-12.

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