Contraceptive self-efficacy and contraceptive knowledge of Hong Kong Chinese women with unplanned pregnancy

Aim and objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore contraceptive practice, the level of knowledge and self-efficacy of contraception among Chinese women with unplanned pregnancy and to determine the relationships between these variables. Background: The construct of self-efficacy can be employed as a theory to design a nursing intervention to prevent sexually active women from unplanned pregnancy. Only a few western studies have investigated the relationships between self-efficacy and contraception behaviour yet none targeted at the Chinese population. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional survey design. A convenience sample of 117 eligible Chinese females completed all the questionnaires, which included the Chinese version of the Contraceptive Self-efficacy Scale and Contraceptive Knowledge Scale. Results: The findings in this study suggested that younger, unmarried women at the lower income group, who adopted male condoms are at risk for unplanned pregnancy. The sample demonstrated an above medium level of knowledge and self-efficacy in contraception. However, no significant relationship was found between contraceptive self-efficacy and knowledge (p > 0·05). Conclusions: Contraceptive obstacles were revealed by participants’ moderate level of contraceptive self-efficacy and contraceptive knowledge. The relationship between contraceptive knowledge of specific methods and contraceptive self-efficacy need further exploration in future studies. Relevance to clinical practice: The dominant use of male condoms by the sample of this study sheds light on future direction in the development of educational programmes and contraceptive promotion strategies appropriate for women with unplanned pregnancy.