Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore contraceptive awareness among college women in the Southeast United States. This study sheds light on the gaps in contraceptive use found in college women and can be used to improve educational interventions on college campuses. Participants: College-age women ages 18-25 completed in-depth qualitative interviews over Zoom. Methods: Interviews examined levels of awareness by asking participants to list the contraceptive methods they were aware of, followed by probes that assessed their understanding of different contraceptive methods. Results: Prominent themes (n = 44) included high awareness of condoms, the pill and IUD, positive attitudes toward contraceptive options, fear and emotional anxiety from hormonal contraceptives and inability to explain how contraceptives work in the body. Conclusion: Results from this study will inform future contraceptive education campaigns for college women.
Keywords: College women; contraception; reproductive health; young adults.