Prevalence of and factors associated with emergency contraceptive use among female undergraduates in Arba Minch University, Southern Ethiopia, 2015: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Emergency contraceptives (ECs) need to be available and used appropriately as a backup in case regular contraception is not taken by people like university students. This study was conducted to assess emergency contraception use and its associated factors among female undergraduates of Arba Minch University. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 515 undergraduates using a structured questionnaire. Respondents were selected by the stratified random sampling technique and data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were fitted to identify associated factors. The adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was used to present the identified risk factors. The prevalence of emergency contraception use among Arba Minch University students was 78.0% (95% CI: 71.5%, 84.5%). Better information about emergency contraceptives (AOR = 6.3; 95% CI: 2.4, 9.7), good approach of EC service providers (AOR = 9.3; 95% CI: 2.4, 11.6), and positive attitude about ECs (AOR = 2.4; 95% CI: 1.5, 7.2) were factors significantly associated with EC use. The prevalence of emergency contraceptive use noted in this study was comparatively higher than the results found by previous studies conducted in Africa and Ethiopian universities. Continuing support for and wider dissemination of the class are recommended. The fact that the students/participants readily accepted the preceding provisions made such positive findings possible and sustainable.