University Men’s Perceptions of Emergency Contraception

Abstract

Objective: Current research on emergency contraceptive  needs and usage is centered on fe
males’ 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.