Abstract

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to compare the knowledge, perceptions, and awareness of contraceptives among college students in Vietnam and the United States (US). Methods: The cross-sectional data were collected using a self-administered survey from January to March of 2019 in Vietnam and the US. There were 546 Vietnamese participants and 538 US participants. Nearly 70% of the participants were female. The average age was 20.37. The measures used included the knowledge, awareness and perceptions of contraceptive health. Results: US participants reported higher levels of knowledge, awareness and positive perceptions than those in Vietnam. The US and Vietnamese college students expressed different perspectives regarding the most effective and the most widely used contraceptive methods (e.g., condom vs IUD). Additionally, the results suggest that having a positive perception on contraceptive use can potentially mediate the relationship between knowledge and awareness. Conclusion: Social and cultural factors play a large role in shaping one’s attitude and awareness of contraceptives. Interpersonal relationships between students and their friends and families play a large role in both the amount and accuracy of the information they are given. The gap between knowing about contraceptives and using them, could be attributed to the sensitive nature of the topic. Public campaigns on other modern contraceptive choices and promotion on mass media may be a good solution.

中文翻译：

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越南和美国大学生避孕健康知识与知觉

摘要

目标

这项研究的目的是比较越南和美国（美国）大学生的避孕知识，知觉和意识。方法：横断面数据是通过自管理调查收集的，于2019年1月至3月在越南和美国进行。有546名越南人和538名美国人。接近70％的参与者是女性。平均年龄为20.37岁。所采用的措施包括对避孕保健的知识，认识和看法。结果：美国参与者报告的知识，意识和积极知觉水平高于越南。美国和越南大学生对最有效，使用最广泛的避孕方法（例如，避孕套与宫内节育器）表达了不同的看法。此外，研究结果表明，对避孕方法的使用有积极的认识可能会介导知识与意识之间的关系。结论：社会和文化因素在塑造人对避孕药具的态度和意识方面起着很大的作用。学生与他们的朋友和家人之间的人际关系在所提供信息的数量和准确性方面都起着重要作用。了解避孕药具与使用避孕药具之间的差距，可以归因于该主题的敏感性。关于其他现代避孕选择的公共运动以及在大众媒体上的推广可能是一个很好的解决方案。