An abstract written by CIDSR’s very own Dr. Rodica Comendant and Cristina Revenco, along with recent graduate of the State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Alina Rusu, was published by the European Society of Contraception and Reproductive Health’s (ESC), from which the team received support. The goal of the research was to identify myths, misconceptions and negative beliefs related to contraception among Moldovan young people and medical students, along with the barriers that they face in accessing contraceptives.

Within the study, 332 young people 15-24 years old and 170 fifth year medical students completed on online questionnaire assessing their attitudes and opinions about contraception and their experiences using various contraceptive methods. The majority of young respondents (69%) indicated that condoms are the best method, 59% prioritized coitus interruptus and only 23.3% – combined oral contraceptives (COC). At the same time, only 28% of sexually active youth used a condom at last sexual intercourse. Surprisingly, the level of knowledge about and use of contraceptives among medical students was not any higher. The majority (66%) indicated coitus interruptus as the best method, 60.9% – condoms and 21.7% – the calendar method. Only 39% of medical students used a condom at last sexual intercourse.

More information can be found in the published abstract below.

Knowledge, perception and use of contraception among young people in Moldova[:]