Contraception among Tertiary Students: Knowledge, use and Behaviour of Female Undergraduates in Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: increased sexual activities among young people, unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions and secondary infertility have become major reproductive health concerns in nigeria. Unwanted pregnancy while preventable through appropriate contraception is a risk factor for disruption of education, future unemployment, and secondary infertility. Aim: To assess contraceptive knowledge, use and related behavior among female undergraduates in tertiary institutions in edo state, nigeria. Methods: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey using semi-structured self-administered questionnaire. Female undergraduates from two tertiary institutions (federal polytechnic, auchi and ambrose alli university, ekpoma) in edo north and central districts were selected using a multistage sampling technique and a sample of 374 students was drawn from both institutions. Results: The age group of 20- 24 years constituted the highest proportion (61.5%) of respondents with the mean age being 23 ±4.2 years. majority (80.6%) of them were singles. Awareness of contraceptives was very high (94.4%) while the commonest method known was condoms (76.1%). Only 31.2 % of respondents had good knowledge of methods and benefits of using contraceptives. Current utilization rate of contraceptive was 39.3% while current sexual activity was 45.2%. association between level of knowledge and use of contraceptive was significant (df = 2; x2 = 7.756; p= 0.021). Conclusion: knowledge of contraception was poor while the regular use of contraceptives was lower than of sexual activity. We recommend a more systematic approach to promoting contraceptive use among sexually active undergraduate women through the use of multiple health promotion channels.