Family planning among university students: An investigation into knowledge, access, and utilisation

Abstract

Family planning plays a vital role in reproductive and sexual health, contributing significantly to reducing unintended pregnancies, preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and improving maternal and infant health outcomes. Despite the availability of family planning services, university students often face considerable barriers to the utilisation of these services. Research indicates that many students have limited knowledge of contraceptive methods. When combined with misinformation and myths about side effects, this influences contraceptive use and decision-making. This is of particular importance as university students are more prone to risky sexual behaviours, increasing the risk of STIs and unplanned pregnancies. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, access, and utilisation of family planning services among university students in Johannesburg, South Africa. A quantitative, descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a survey instrument. University students at a single tertiary institute in Johannesburg were approached to complete the questionnaire using a convenience sampling technique A total of 449 university students were approached, yielding 404 completed responses. The majority of participants (69.1%) were female, and students aged 18-21 constituted the largest age group. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data and a p-value of < 0.05 indicated statistical significance. Approximately 90.8% of respondents reported familiarity with the concept of family planning, with the internet serving as the primary source of information. Misconceptions persisted regarding the effectiveness of hormonal injections and vasectomies in preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs), as well as misunderstanding of hormonal prevention methods of contraception and long-term pregnancy prevention. Male condoms were the most recognised and utilised contraceptive method. Despite the high level of awareness of family planning, the study reported that 68.8% of sexually active students utilised family planning, highlighting a gap between awareness and practice. Although students perceived access to family planning services as easy (70.4%), the overall utilisation rates remained low, with the main barrier reportedly due to concerns about side-effects regarding contraceptive methods (46.7%). Additionally, only 31.3% of students were aware of the family planning services available at the university health clinic. This study highlights the need to address the gaps in family planning knowledge, increase campus clinic visibility, and improve access to more contraceptive options to better support students’ reproductive health.