By Ng Wan Ching

Many not using birth control methods well

IF you cannot say no to pre-marital sex, then at least protect yourself adequately from unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

That is the key message that doctors want to tell teens.

In the survey among 365 post-secondary students, many chose contraception methods which were not optimal, said doctors.

Among those who used contraceptives during their last sexual activity, the top choice was the condom (83 per cent), followed by the pill (11 per cent). The third-most popular method of preventing pregnancy was the withdrawal method (6 per cent).

The condom (36 per cent) was rated the most reliable method, followed by intra-uterine contraception (19 per cent), pill (9per cent) and withdrawal (4 per cent).

The rest (32 per cent) thought either the rhythm method was best or had no response.

For the best protection, doctors say a combination of the condom and the pill should be used.

Said Dr Christopher Ng, an obstetrician and gynaecologist in private practice: 'The condom, if it is to be used correctly, must be used at the start of intercourse.

'Many young people I see say they use it halfway through sex. Then it offers sub-optimal protection against unwanted pregnancies as there is sperm in pre-ejaculate.'

The survey results showed that half of those who are sexually active did not use any contraception during their last sexual activity.

Reduced sensation

The main reasons for not using the condom were reduced sensation and having sex in the heat of the moment.

As for not using the pill, the reason was worry about side effects like weight gain.

Said LK, a 18-year-old poly student who is not sexually active: 'I will choose to use the condom if I have sex.

'As a male, that is all I can do.'

But he was not sure when was the correct time to use the condom and he did not know that pre-ejaculate contained sperm.

Hence, for optimal protection against unwanted pregnancy, the girl should be on the pill, said DrNg.

'The pill offers more than 99 per cent protection against unwanted pregnancy,' he said.

In contrast, the condom may have a failure rate of 2 to 15 per cent in preventing unwanted pregnancies, depending on how it is used.

But the boy should still wear a condom, for optimal protection against STDs, said Dr Ng.

GO FIGURE

Among the 365 students surveyed...

24%
of the students are sexually active, but only half use contraception

83%
of the sexually active who practise contraception choose condoms, followed by the pill (11%) and withdrawal method (6%).