Utilization and Associated Factors of Emergency Contraception among Female College Students in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Increasing the access and availability of modern contraceptives with emergency contraceptives prevent unplanned pregnancy. In Ethiopia, the rate of unintended pregnancy is high among adolescents. The role of the Emergency contraceptive is confirming in the prevention of unplanned pregnancy and its sequels. However, the use of emergency contraceptives in cities like Addis Ababa is verylow. Given that unsafe abortion is the leading cause of maternal mortality, appropriate use of emergency contraceptives as back up for regular contraceptive is therefore needed. Objective: This study has assessed the practice of emergency contraception and associated factors among female students in ALKAN Health Science Business and Technology (HSBT) College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods: An institution-based study among 271 female ALKAN Health Science Business Technology College, Addis Ababa campus students using a self-administered questionnaire. The study subjects were selected randomly using a stratified sampling technique. We used both descriptive summaries statistics and logistic regression to present the study findings. Results: The majority (93.3%) had emergency contraceptives awareness. Among those who had heard about an emergency contraceptive, 81.5% had good emergency contraceptive knowledge. The magnitude of participants who had used emergency contraceptive was 12.9%, where oral pills (93.3%) were the most frequently used method. Factors significantly associated with the use of emergency contraception were user being sexually active [AOR=124.0, 95%CI=33.4-61.1)], age less than or equal to 20 years [AOR=5.7, 95%CI=2.35-3.91)], and being single [AOR=6.2, 95%CI= 1.91-20.0)]. Conclusion: Efforts should be made to educate college female students on emergency contraceptives usage in their formal lesson.