An online educational intervention to increase hormonal contraceptives knowledge among medical students

Abstract

Introduction: Adolescent pregnancy is a serious public health concern that is associated with a lack of knowledge regarding proper and consistent contraceptive use. There is a need for educational interventions on the use of hormonal contraceptives, of which the online modality is a feasible option.

Objective: To develop and implement an online course entitled “Use of hormonal contraceptives” among adolescent students and determine its effect on learning.

Method: An online course was developed that included the following topics: the female reproductive system, the sexual cycle, and hormonal contraceptives. Knowledge was measured administering two multiple-choice tests. In 2021 we fielded a quasi-experimental pre-post study with a single group (adolescent students) enrolled in their first year of medical school attending a public university in Mexico.

Results: For the pre-post, 108 students participated, 75% women and 25% men, with an average age of 18 years. The students increased their score in the pre-post evaluation (17-21 to 22-27 correct answers) and decreased in the follow-up (20-24 correct answers), with statistically significant differences according to the t test (p < 0.001). With the Friedman rank test, a mean for Instrument I was obtained, of 2.79; for instrument II, 1.32 and for the monitoring instrument, 1.89. Differences were observed between at least two groups (Chi2 33.98, df 2, p < 0.001). The post hoc analysis confirmed significant differences between the pre and post evaluations and follow-up (p < 0.001); although the score decreases after three months.

Conclusions: The implementation of this type of educational interventions with solid results is sufficient to justify its development and implementation.