A Summary of a Scholarly Article on Contraception Knowledge and Sexual Behavior in Secondary School Students
This scholarly article by the Faculty of Medicine of university of Tucuman, Spain seeks to analyze the depth of contraception knowledge and sexual behavior in high school students from diverse institutions of education (private and public). The sexual behavior of high school students is noted as influenced by different factors which include, insufficient sexual education, early introduction to sex, frequency in change of sexual partners, problems in accessing to health services.
The study was carried out in a cross-sectional manner. Three high schools were covered in the survey in an urban area district. The participants were 145 girls and 136 boys enrolled in a contraception and STI (Sexually Transmitted Infections) screening programme. The participants were required to fill up a questionnaire confidentially about their contraception and sexuality knowledge. The questionnaire sought to understand adolescent health behaviors (Reina, 2010).
The results of the study illustrated that 21% of students from low social-economic bracket lacked adequate contraception knowledge, 45% had their first sex experience in the ages 12-15 years, and 67% of this had not used any contraceptive in this incident. About 37 % went on being active sexually. In the high 100% and mid socio-economic group, 63% were said to have used contraceptives in their sexual activities. The community members, parents and colleagues were said to be the core information source on sexuality and contraceptive methods. The most recognized methods of contraception amongst high school students as per the survey were condoms (99%) and pills (95%).
The survey concluded that a substantial number of students from low social backgrounds had inadequate contraception information. They knew less about the role of condoms, the most popular contraception, in the prevention of STI’s and preferred not knowing the necessity of having a “medical control before starting using oral contraceptives”(Reina, 2010).
A Summary of a Magazine Article on Switching Contraceptives Effectively
This article notes that many women have problems when their usual birth control methods fail to be effective. This is linked to doctors and women having less knowledge in the effective contraceptive methods and how to shift from one method to another without the risk of pregnancy. A research by Bantelle Centers for Public Health Research and Evaluation was used to explain the frequency in switching contraceptives by women. Discontinuation of contraceptive methods was found to be a high of 90%. The researchers further found 40% of married women and 61% of women not married had changed methods. Approximately one in every 10 women chose to leave contraception completely as per the survey (Brody, 2012).
The misconceptions on birth control measures have been cited as pegged to ignorance, a current contraceptive side effects as one switches to another, difficulty in getting in touch with the prescribing doctor, outdated beliefs on the most efficient contraceptive methods and the perception that the contraceptive methods are costly. The writer narrates the story of a woman who had serious persisting effects while on a contraceptive pill. Her doctor told her to discontinue taking the pill but failed to provide an alternate contraceptive method. This led to her getting pregnant disrupting her college plans. Struggling with her college education, six years later she had a new relationship. She soon had a second child. This was due to her wrong thinking that having not conceived again for a long time that she was infertile.
The article concludes that women be careful when adjusting from one contraceptive method to another. The protection gaps should never occur if women took active charge in their sexuality by consulting right doctors or physicians in their decision to switch from one contraceptive method to another (Brody, 2012).
The two articles, scholarly and popular, have a number of significant comparisons and contrasts. They both address the issue of contraception. The scholarly article expounds the contraception knowledge amongst the high school going adolescents while the popular article notes the implications of switching contraceptive methods by women. The two articles are based on a certain criterion in order to accentuate their hypothesis on contraception. The scholarly article focusses on the adolescent age while the popular article emphasizes on the mature women.
The contrasts between the two articles are several. The scholarly article uses specialized language and is tailor made for a specific audience. It is a report of an original research by the authors. It uses sampling, comprehensive data collection and analysis in its compilation. The descriptions and analytical evaluation are explicit and thoroughly explained. It also employs tables and analytical tabulations to illustrate the basis of the study. The popular article is broad-based and various people in general can relate to it. There are no analytical or evaluation techniques or methodologies employed in its making. The article borrows facts from other references. It summarizes a general research on the implications of switching contraceptive methods by women.
The scholarly article “Contraception knowledge and sexual behavior in secondary school students” was published by the Faculty of Medicine, University of Tucuman. This article was peer reviewed and has a declaration at the end by the authors bearing responsibility of the content and writing of the article. The article also is well- referenced with up to twenty sources. This goes to show the in-depth inquiries done in the compilation of this article. The popular article on The New York Times, on the other hand, is written by a reporter, a non-expert or an authority in the field of human sexuality. It lacks proper referencing as its sources are cited informally. The article too has been subjected to editing by the newspaper editors.
A consumer would benefit differently on perusing the two articles. The scholarly article would be key in providing the consumer with the exhaustive information on contraception. This is due to the fact that it is backed with an original research that has tabled the methodologies, data collected and also in depth analysis and explanation of the findings. This article will also be instrumental in providing avenues of validating the study through its multi-referenced nature. A consumer of the scholarly article (if a student or professional) will reap much due to the specialized format of the information presented. This consumer will relate to the information due to the use of terminologies and methodologies that are familiar to him or her.
A popular article to a consumer provides a generalized outlook on different premises of contraception. The information is presented in a simple way which is easily digestible by a broad audience without the hindrance of limitation whatsoever to its users. It’s summarized format of an original research makes the desired information easily accessible.
The two articles have positive aspects in the way they present their information. The scholarly article through its explicit discussion of analysis and results of the research enhances proper understanding of the subject matter. The incorporation of methodologies, tables and graphs accentuates the intended scholarly information. The popular article through its generalized and simplistic approach allows the information to be easily comprehensible. The information does not segregate its audience as it lacks specificity and technical language.
The scholarly article and popular articles possess qualities that make them good means of communicating information. The scholarly article is the best tool of communicating results of a research. It offers validated information, which has been passed through an intensive peer review system. The popular article is deemed the best tool of information as it is an overview of a topic in a layman’s language. This makes the information accessible to a generally knowledgeable reader.
The peer review system employed in the publication of the scholarly article is essential in the sense that it authenticates the authors work. The assessment is crucial in synthesizing the information to acceptable and relevant levels for the would-be user of the information. It also removes personal bias through integrating diversity of opinions. The quality of the content is also assured through the peer review. The study of sex and sexuality is effective if formerly done. The formality ensures that factual information that is devoid of any distortion is put forward. The popular media most of the time focusses on the readership base rather than the correct information hence it can’t qualify as the ultimate sex education tool. The presentation is normally dwells on the appeal rather than the content often.
Conclusion
The two articles have been key in highlighting different aspects of contraception. The scholarly article has illustrated the relation between socio-economic background of high school students and knowledge of contraceptive use. The popular article has also shed light on the effects of switching contraceptives by women. The comparisons drawn of the two articles have demonstrated the different needs by the audience on how information should be formatted. The scholarly being more technical is deemed fit for scholars, professionals and students unlike the popular article that is tailor made for a general knowledgeable public. The scholarly being the most insightful and factual, in my opinion, is the best in the study of contraception and its elements. Its empirical nature heightens comprehension of an individual as it presents carefully reviewed information that lacks bias and conflicting ideas.ts audience as it lacks specificity and technical language. formation to be easily comprehensible. The hs accentuate methodology
SOURCES
Brody, J. E. (2012, September 17). Switching Contraceptives Effectively. The New York Times, p. 25.
Reina, M. F., Ciaravino, H., Llovera, N., & Branco, C. C. (2010). Contraception knowledge and sexual behaviour in secondary school students. Gynecological Endocrinology, 26(7), 6.
