A Pilot Study on the Feasibility and Impact of a Targeted Institutional Programme on Contraceptive Methods among Non-Medical Undergraduate Students in Sikkim, India
Saroja Pradhan
Sikkim Manipal College of Nursing, Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences, Sikkim Manipal University, Gangtok, Sikkim, India.
Barkha Devi
*
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing, Sikkim Manipal College of Nursing, Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences, Sikkim Manipal University, Tadong, Sikkim, India.
Nazung Lepcha
Department of Mental Health Nursing, Sikkim Manipal College of Nursing, Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences, Sikkim Manipal University, Tadong, Sikkim, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Contraceptive awareness is essential for promoting reproductive health and preventing unintended pregnancies; however, misconceptions persist among non-medical undergraduate students.
Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a Targeted Institutional Programme on Contraceptive Methods in improving awareness and reducing misconceptions among non-medical undergraduate students.
Methods: A quasi-experimental waitlist-controlled pilot study with a pre-test and post-test design was conducted among 50 non-medical undergraduate students in Sikkim, India (25 intervention, 25 control). Data were collected using a structured questionnaire assessing awareness and misconceptions. The intervention group received Targeted Institutional Programme on Contraceptive Methods, while the control group received the intervention after the post-test. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results: The intervention group showed a significant increase in awareness scores (t = 10.52, p < 0.001) and a significant reduction in misconceptions (t = 6.422, p < 0.001). No statistically significant changes were observed in the control group.
Conclusion: Targeted Institutional Programme on Contraceptive Methods was effective in improving awareness and reducing misconceptions among non-medical undergraduate students. However, findings should be interpreted with caution due to the pilot nature of the study. Further large-scale studies are recommended to validate these findings.
Keywords: Contraceptive awareness, reproductive health education, undergraduate students, pilot study, misconceptions