Abstract

KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTIVES AMONG FEMALE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN A NIGERIAN UNIVERSITY

Godwin Odey Olim*, Joshua Funsho Eniojukan, Juliet Nkem Ogwude and Perpetua Olachi Ozurigbo

ABSTRACT

Background: Preventing unintended pregnancy and possible risk of abortion among young women especially undergraduate students is an important concern. This study was carried out to assess the knowledge and practice of Emergency Contraceptives (EC) among female undergraduate students in a Nigerian private University. Methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted among female undergraduate students drawn across the five faculties in the campus. Data was collected using a pre-tested questionnaire that was self-administered to the participants after obtaining a verbal and written consent. Data was analyzed for descriptive statistics and Chi Square was used for inferential statistics. Results: Out of the 309 respondents, majority were aged 21- 23 years, Christians and Single; all students resided on campus but during holidays, just about a third lived with their parents/family. The study had 87.3% awareness on EC; 47.2% of the participants indicated that EC should be taken less than 24 hours after sexual intercourse. Misconceptions that existed regarding EC included: use of EC to prevent sexually transmitted diseases by 31.7% of the respondents; 15.5% used EC for irregular menstrual cycle; 46.6 % reported that EC could harm future fertility. The practice of EC among the respondents was recorded as 77.1%; the most common agent used for EC was Levonorgestrol (76.7%). Majority (32.7%) used EC to prevent unintended pregnancy, 26.2% used EC due to lack of trust on ovulation countdown, 17.5% used EC for family planning. Majority (80.2) of the respondents indicated that there are side effects after use of EC; 44.3% had experienced side effects after EC use. Conclusion: The awareness on EC was high but there existed knowledge gaps regarding some key components of EC. Although majority of the students used EC, it is essential that efforts be made to equip students more about the indications for and appropriate use of EC.

Keywords: Knowledge, Emergency contraceptive, female students, Madonna University, Nigeria.