RESUMO
Introducción: La educación sexual y reproductiva puede prevenir o reducir cualquier daño físico o mental, o ambos, ocasionado por las prácticas sexuales de riesgo y el uso inadecuado de métodos anticonceptivos. Objetivo: Describir el uso de anticonceptivos de emergencia en estudiantes universitarias y la percepción de estas en cuanto a los perjuicios de dichos métodos para la salud. Métodos: Se efectuó un estudio descriptivo y transversal, de abril a octubre de 2021, de 372 féminas mayores de 18 años de edad, matriculadas en universidades ubicadas en Medellín, Colombia, quienes fueron seleccionadas mediante un muestreo no probabilístico. La información se obtuvo a través de una encuesta, en la cual se incluyeron variables relacionadas con el empleo de los anticonceptivos de emergencia y la percepción sobre sus perjuicios. Resultados: En la serie, 67,7 % de las jóvenes había usado anticonceptivos de emergencia, de las cuales 8,7 % refirió consumir hasta 3 píldoras de levonorgestrel al mes y 0,8 %, más de 10 durante un año; en tanto, 97,8 % consideró que este tipo de método afecta la salud. Entre los principales efectos secundarios figuraron los sangrados irregulares (65,8 %), las náuseas (31,7 %), los vómitos (31,7 %), la migraña (3,2 %) y los cambios de ánimo (25,4 %). Conclusiones: Aunque la mayoría de las estudiantes universitarias que usaban anticonceptivos de emergencia se guiaban por las recomendaciones médicas, un pequeño grupo lo hacía de manera inadecuada, lo cual se asoció a una baja percepción sobre los perjuicios de este método para la salud.
Introduction: Sexual and reproductive education can prevent or reduce any physical or mental harm, or both, caused by risky sexual practices and inadequate use of contraceptive methods. Objective: To describe the use of emergency contraception among female university students and their awareness regarding the harms of these methods for their health. Methods: A descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted, from April to October 2021, of 372 women over 18 years of age, enrolled in universities located in Medellin, Colombia, who were selected through non-probabilistic sampling. The information was obtained through a survey, which included variables related to the use of emergency contraception and the awareness of its harms. Results: In the series, 67.7% of the young women had used emergency contraceptives, of whom 8.7% reported consuming up to 3 levonorgestrel pills per month and 0.8% more than 10 during a year, while 97.8% considered that this type of method affects their health. Among the main adverse effects were irregular periods (65.8%), nausea (31.7%), vomiting (31.7%), migraine (3.2%) and mood changes (25.4%). Conclusions: Although most of female university students who used emergency contraceptives were guided by medical recommendations, a small group did so inappropriately, which was associated with a low perception of the health harms of this method.
RESUMO
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of emergency contraceptive pill on adolescent sexuality and contraceptive behaviors through a meta - analysis of intervention studies on advance provision of emergency contraceptives. This study aimed to provide objective data on the transition of general medicines to be discussed in relation to the reclassification of emergency contraceptive pills. METHODS: Using electronic database, 1,820 studies written in Korean or English without limitation of the year were reviewed and for analysis, 5 studies were selected, in which emergency contraceptives were provided to adolescents. RESULTS: The advance provision of emergency contraceptives has increased their use and shortened the time it takes to take contraceptive pills after unprotected sex. There was no change in the frequency of engaging in sexual intercourse and unprotected sex or in existing contraceptive behavior, pregnancy rates decreased, but there was no increase in sexually transmitted infection. CONCLUSION: The results of this study provide objective grounds for the reclassification of emergency contraceptive pills and propose effective interventional programs on contraceptive education, such as on efficacy and side effects of the contraceptive drug and its proper use among the youth who engage in sexual activity, to improve their reproductive health.