Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Utilization of Emergency Contraception among Unmarried Women of Reproductive age in Adama, Ethiopia
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Date
2012-05
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Addis Abeba Universty
Abstract
Background: Unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortion could be avoided by using contraceptives, including emergency contraceptive even after unprotected sexual intercourse. Many unmarried women are at high risk of unintended pregnancy; they have limited knowledge of contraception and generally lack access to services or do not feel comfortable using these services. Emergency contraception adds important option for helping sexually active unmarried women to avoid unintended pregnancy. Knowledge, attitude and utilization of emergency contraceptives among unmarried women are of paramount importance because of high rates of unwanted pregnancies as well as unsafe abortion.
Objectives: To assess knowledge, attitude and utilization of emergency contraception among unmarried women of reproductive age.
Methods: A cross-sectional community based survey was conducted among 491 unmarried women of reproductive age at Adama Town. Among 14 urban kebeles, one kebele were selected using simple random sampling method. Systematic sampling technique was used to identify the respondents at an interval of every ninth household after the first respondent was identified by simple random sampling method from the first nine households. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Data analysis was done using chi-square test and binary logistic regression to measure the association between dependent and independent variables.
Result: About 38.7 % of the total unmarried women participated in the study had knowledge of emergency contraception. Of those ever heard of EC 95% mentioned oral pills only and the reminder (5%) mentioned oral pill and intra uterine device. About 61.3% of those ever heard of emergency contraception had positive attitude towards making EC available to all women who need it but only 4.2% respondents reported that they had used emergency contraception previously. Age, educational status, occupation, knowledge of time in menstrual cycle when pregnancy is more likely to occur, experience of sexual intercourse and having discussion on reproductive health are significantly associated with awareness of EC (p < 0.001).
Conclusion & recommendations: The study has shown that there is low level of knowledge and practice of emergency contraceptives among urban unmarried women. Therefore, there is a need to emphasize on increasing awareness and accessibility of emergency contraception to all.
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Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude