Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Emergency Contraceptive Pills among SLIIT Undergraduates in Sri Lanka- Preliminary Findings of a Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

The chance of unwanted pregnancies is higher for young people in the reproductive age. The Emergency Contraceptive Pill (ECP) is a hormonal form of birth control recommended for unprotected sexual activities when standard contraceptive methods are not utilized. As a result, it is crucial to research this topic since unsafe abortions in Sri Lanka result in increased maternal mortality rates. This study aims to assess the knowledge and attitudes toward emergency contraceptive pills of undergraduates at the Faculty of Humanities and Sciences at Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT). A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among the first, second, and third-year undergraduates who followed their course in English at the Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT. Study participants were chosen by a stratified random sampling method. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires distributed via Microsoft forms. Data was presented using descriptive statistics by frequencies and percentages. The analysis included 84 participants, mostly third-year students (56%) and females (79.8%). Most of the students, (73.8%), agreed with the idea that ECP should be easily accessible. A higher number of students, (76.2%), mentioned that they would recommend ECP to a friend or a relative if needed, while (23.8%) mentioned that they would not recommend it. In conclusion, the knowledge of ECP among the participants was satisfactory, and the attitudes toward ECPs were positive. Keywords: Emergency contraceptive pills (ECP); Knowledge; Attitudes