Abstract

Cost remains a major barrier in accessing effective contraception especially long-acting reversible contraception. We assessed the current contraception choices amongst university students, including the influence of cost on choices, by surveying students at University College Cork. A total of 1,840 sexually active students completed the online survey. Condoms were used by 1,020 students (55%), the combined pill was used by 729 (40%) and ‘coitus interruptus’ (withdrawal) was used by 169 students (9%). Males were more likely to spend under €50 annually (48%) and female students were more likely to spend over €100 on contraception (41%). By removing cost, 394 (34%) sexually active women would definitely change contraception, with another 250 women (22%) considering changing. Students often rely on unreliable or user-dependent methods of contraception. Our study has demonstrated that cost influences contraceptive choice with nearly half of the women surveyed stating they would change contraception if cost was removed.