To investigate Vietnamese undergraduate students’ knowledge and attitudes towards contraception and their associated factors.

Cross-sectional study.

Six universities in Vietnam from April to May 2025.

1134 undergraduate students.

Students’ knowledge and attitudes towards contraception were measured via an online survey, and a cut-off point of 50% was used to categorise their scores. Associations between students’ knowledge and attitude scores and their sociodemographic characteristics, academic background, sexual and relationship experiences, contraceptive education and information sources were evaluated using multivariable linear regression. Independent variables were selected through Bayesian Model Averaging.

Students’ average knowledge and attitude scores were 10.93±2.86 (possible range: 0–22; actual range: 0–19) and 54.14±6.57 (possible range: 15–75; actual range: 35–74), respectively. 62.1% demonstrated good knowledge, and 91.4% showed positive attitudes towards contraception. Higher knowledge was observed among older students (per 1 year increase, β=0.33, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.43), those from public universities (β=1.32, 95% CI 0.64 to 2.00), using mass media as a contraceptive information source (β=0.58, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.91) and having sexual experience (β=1.16, 95% CI 0.73 to 1.58). By contrast, students who were single and had never been in a romantic relationship (β=–0.88, 95% CI –1.23 to –0.52) and those enrolled in non-healthcare disciplines (β=–1.06, 95% CI –1.55 to –0.56) had significantly lower knowledge scores. Positive attitudes were more prevalent among female students (males vs females: β=–2.07, 95% CI –2.80 to –1.34), those using the Internet as a source of contraceptive information (β=5.65, 95% CI 4.29 to 7.01) and those with higher knowledge scores (per one-unit increase, β=0.67, 95% CI 0.55 to 0.79). All associations were statistically significant (p

In general, undergraduate students’ knowledge of contraception was relatively low, while their attitudes were positive. Implementing education programmes focusing on correct usage and storage of condoms and the safety of emergency contraceptive pills may help improve their understanding and promote safer sexual practices, thereby contributing to reducing the risk of sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies.

Antibiotic self-medication and home storage are two common behaviours that can result in inappropriate drug use. This study elucidated their prevalence and associated factors among university students in Vietnam.

Cross-sectional study.

Vietnam.

2230 university students.

Antibiotic storage was evaluated at the time of the survey, while self-medication was assessed for 1 year preceding this time. Associated factors were determined via multivariable logistic regression models.

Among 2230 participants, 418 (18.7%) reported self-medicating with antibiotics. The three main reasons for this behaviour included saving time (48.6%), mild diseases (45.0%) and the ease of purchasing antibiotics from community pharmacies (43.8%). Community pharmacies (88.3%) and home storage (36.4%) were the primary sources of antibiotics for self-treatment. Students mainly selected antibiotics based on community pharmacists’ consultation (59.8%) and their knowledge/experience (37.8%). They commonly read the patient information leaflet (64.6%) and asked for the community pharmacist’s advice to obtain information about antibiotic usage (52.9%). Besides, 296 students (13.3%) stored antibiotics at home. Over two-thirds had antibiotic leftovers from previous treatment and stored them for future use (69.3%), while 46.3% purchased antibiotics from community pharmacies without a prescription. Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid was the most commonly used antibiotic for self-medication (59.8%) and home storage (54.4%). Antibiotic self-medication was significantly associated with older age (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=1.25; 95% CI 1.15 to 1.35), non-healthcare students (aOR=0.47; 95% CI 0.34 to 0.63), higher knowledge score (aOR=1.05; 95% CI 1.02 to 1.07) and storing antibiotics at home (aOR=7.12; 95% CI 5.34 to 9.51). Factors associated with home storage of antibiotics included non-healthcare students (aOR=2.77; 95% CI 2.01 to 3.83), region (north: aOR=6.50; 95% CI 3.49 to 13.54; south: aOR=5.92; 95% CI 3.06 to 12.65), having a family member working in the medical field (aOR=1.70; 95% CI 1.29 to 2.25), higher knowledge score (aOR=1.05; 95% CI 1.02 to 1.08) and antibiotic self-medication (aOR=7.58; 95% CI 5.69 to 10.14) (p values

The prevalence of antibiotic self-medication and home storage among students was relatively low but still raises public health concerns. Some interventions, such as integrating targeted health education programmes into university curricula, orientation sessions, extracurricular activities and campus campaigns, may help effectively promote rational antibiotic use.