Knowledge, Attitude, Utilization of Emergency Contraceptive and Associated Factors among Female Students of Debre Markos Higher Institutions, Northwest Ethiopia, 2014

Abstract

Introduction: Emergency contraception (EC), also called post coital contraception is a method of preventing pregnancy as a result of unanticipated sexual activity, contraceptive failure, or sexual assault. Young people today marry later, and more start sex before marriage. In addition to the higher risk of morbidity and mortality, adolescent pregnancy can lead to serious social stigma and health consequences for both mother and child. However, in many developing countries, pregnancy severely limits an adolescent in pursuing education and in having broader economic opportunities in the future. Objectives: the main of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, utilization of emergency contraceptive and associated factors among female students of Debre Markos Higher Institutions 2014. Methods: Quantitative cross-sectional study design supported with qualitative study was conducted. Multi stage sampling technique was used to select 549 students among female students in Debre Markos Higher Institutions. Data were collected by interview using structured self-administered questionnaire. The analysis was done using SPSS version 16. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with outcome variables. Results: The overall response rate was 88%. The age of the study participants ranged from 18-35 years with mean of 20.59 ( ? 1.9SD) years. Among the students participated in this study 411(74.9%) were found to be knowledgeable about emergency contraceptives but only 283(48.5%) had favorable attitude and 99(18.4%) female students ever used. Age group greater than or equal to 25 years, married students and students with unfavorable attitude were less likely users. Conclusion: More than half of respondents had unfavorable attitude towards emergency contraceptive methods and the utilization was very low. Age of respondents, married status and their attitude were independent predictors of emergency contraceptives use. Health education program should be setup to the university students to give accurate information about emergency contraceptive methods.