media.www.diamondbackonline.com/media/storage/paper873/news/2006/05/13/NewsonCampus/pull-Out.Method.Third.Most.Popular-2325570.shtml
DoubleClick Any Word * Page 1 of 1 "Pulling out," or the withdrawal method, is still the third most common form of birth control among students despite its low reliability and ineffectiveness in preventing sexually transmitted diseases, according to data from a recent campus health assessment. Despite a reliability of 73 to 96 percent, the withdrawal method ranks as the third most common contraceptive; The survey asked students about a variety of health-related topics, such as alcohol, contraceptives and sexual behavior, said Pat Johnston, coordinator of health education. Health officials said they use results to understand campus health issues. About 1500 students participated in the study, which was administered by the University Health Center for the first time since 2001, as part of the National Health Assessment conducted by the American College Health Association. The survey was open to students for three weeks between February and March and the results came in about two weeks ago. The findings regarding prevention methods are "not surprising," Torchia said. "We find that on most surveys nationwide withdrawal is one of the top methods used, unfortunately." The 73 percent effectiveness rate of the withdrawal method is extremely overestimated, said Tara Torchia, sexual health coordinator. Withdrawal ranks below birth control pills and condoms, both about 40 percent, as a popular birth control method. Torchia said while most people know withdrawal is ineffective contraception and does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases, most people still use the method because it doesn't require any advanced preparation. Torchia said educating people about the problem is still an issue. "I do think a lot of education needs to be done on why withdrawal is not effective," she said. To educate people, the health center's peer education group Sexual Health and Reproductive Education gives presentations about four times a week and stresses the ineffectiveness and negative aspects of withdrawal. However, the Continuing Medical Education Program for medical providers needs to preach more direct patient contact, Torchia said. "Everyone knows withdrawal is ineffective, but they are not really talking to students about it," she said. The main risks associated with withdrawal include that it does not prevent sexually transmitted diseases and it goes against male natural inclinations, said Patty Kirby, vice president of education and training of Planned Parenthood of Maryland. Even though withdrawal is not as effective as other contraceptives, such as condoms and the pill, Kirby said it prevents pregnancy better than no form of contraception. "If someone had a choice between no method and withdrawal, I would choose, at the very least, withdrawal," Kirby said. However, Kirby said she does worry about people who use it as their sole method of contraception because it's so ineffective. The health center is studying its data to see whether there is a connection between the popularity of the withdrawal method and emergency contraception. Many physicians do see such a correlation on the national level. Campus numbers may have been affected by a change in this survey's population sample, which had more graduate student representation this year. Many graduate students are married and do not need emergency contraception, Torchia said. Torchia said she has seen a definite rise in people using emergency contraceptives based on the numbers given out at the health center each year. Whether the numbers are climbing or remaining constant, Johnston worries students are using emergency contraception as their only means of preventing pregnancy, she said. "If people are using emergency contraceptives, they are not using contraceptives in the first place," Johnston said. "We need to increase education and access to contraceptives." But Torchia said it's not fair to assume students aren't using other forms of contraceptives as well. It is common for students to request emergency contraception after using other forms of contraception. They could be using emergency contraceptives as another precaution, she said. In regards to the 10 percent, she said, "I don't see it as a negative thing. "The rates of contraception are going up," Torchia said. Torchia said the easy availability of contraceptives on the campus even draws students from Georgetown University and the Catholic University of America when contraceptives aren't readily available at their own universities. Earlier this semester, emergency contraceptives were forced into the public eye when SB-297, the emergency contraceptives bill, was narrowly rejected in the state Senate this year. The health center provides emergency contraceptives any day it is open, said Dr.
Reply to this comment anonymous873 anonymous873 posted 5/29/06 @ 8:54 AM EST yeah, precum is a myth. that, or it actually contains more sperm than the ejaculate itself.
Reply to this comment anon posted 8/09/07 @ 6:41 PM EST I've been using the pull out method for over 5yrs. My husband does have a lot of control that not everyone has so the method isn't for everyone.
Notify me of followup comments via e-mail Email notify doesn't work unless you are logged in. Email notify will not work because you are not currently logged in.
I understand posting spam or other comments that are unrelated to this article will cause my comment to be flagged for deletion and possibly cause my IP address to be permanently banned from this server.
vchSerialNumber=7e8b52k2y9&iSection_Id=&iStory_Id =&iPaper_Id=873&javascriptIncludeMode=0&iPosition=6 Poll What did you think of the Terps' performance against West Virginia?
|
http://csua.com/feed/