By Eight in 10 young people in Singapore do not use contraception when having sex with a new partner. This is among the highest rates in the Asia Pacific region, according to a survey of nine countries.
The respondents three main reasons: their partners preferred not to use contraception, the belief that there was no risk of pregnancy, and they did not want to use contraception.
It also found that one in four respondents here believe in myths about how to prevent pregnancy, such as taking a shower after sex, staying upside down for two hours, and rinsing the genital area with Coca-Cola.
The survey on contraception, sponsored by Bayer Healthcare, was conducted in July across some 1,800 participants in nine countries to mark World Contraception Day on Monday. It was supported by 10 international organisations involved in sexual and reproductive health. Respondents were aged between 20 and 35 and included 100 men and 100 women in Singapore.
The survey also found that almost 50 per cent of Singapore respondents, particularly women, have close friends or relatives who have had an unplanned pregnancy.
About 32 per cent had been given false information relating to contraception before, and of this group, 39 per cent said they obtained information from their friends.
At the same time, a considerable number of young adults obtain information about contraception largely from the Internet, alongside friends and spiritual leaders.
A new mobile application called "Pill reminder Singapore" was launched on Monday to help to raise awareness among women about contraception and to remind them to take their oral contraceptive pills on time.
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