Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice on Emergency Contraception Among Secondary, Preparatory and Technical & Vocational School Female Students in Maichew Town, Southern Zone of Tigray, Ethiopia
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Date
2009-06
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Addis Abeba Universty
Abstract
Background: Emergency contraception refers to type of contraception that is used as an
emergency procedure to prevent unintended pregnancy following an unprotected act of sexual
intercourse. Every year, unintended pregnancies lead to at least 20 million unsafe abortions,
resulting in the death of some 70,000 women. There is low utilization of emergency
contraception, while awareness is relatively high.
Objective: To assess Knowledge, Attitude and Practice on emergency contraception and
factors influencing knowledge, attitude and practice.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted to collect data from February to March 2009.
There were a total of 1091 Eligible female students (age 18 & above) in the three schools of
Maichew town. Six hundred twenty three of them were sampled for the study. Self administered
questionnaire was used to collect data.
Result: About 15.7 % of respondents are sexually active. Forty eight percent of them were faced
forced sex and unwanted pregnancy was 38.1% for those who practiced sex. From 623
respondents 285 (45.8%) have knowledge about emergency contraception; Correct timing of
emergency contraception was reported only by 85 (13.6%) and 18 (2.8%) of them had ever used
emergency contraception. Health professionals were main source of information 228 (80.0%)
and About 178 (62.4%) of the respondents had favorable attitude towards the use of emergency
contraception.
Conclusion: There is high rate of unintended (forced) sex; low knowledge, attitude and
utilization of emergency contraceptives among Secondary, Preparatory and TVET school female
students and no favorable access to the service. Hence there is a need for collaborated effort to
improve knowledge, Attitude and utilization of contraceptive methods including emergency
contraception to prevent female students from life threatening behaviors and strengthening the
schools reproductive health clubs by the school & the woreda health office jointly.
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Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice on Emergency Contraception Among Secondary, Preparatory