Assessment of level of awareness and utilization of emergency contraception, among college female students in Oromia Regional state, Arsi Zone, Asella town South-East Ethiopia
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Date
2007-06
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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 80,000 women. There is low utilization of emergency
contraception, while awareness is relatively high.
Objective: To assess level of awareness, attitude and utilization of emergency contraception
and factors influencing knowledge, attitude and practice.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on February 2007. There were a total of
2167 female students in 10 colleges in Asella town. Eight hundred thirty three of them were
sampled for the study. Self administered questionnaire and in-depth interview was used to
collect data.
Result: The magnitude of sexual violence was as high as 47.9% and unwanted pregnancy was
16.9% for those who practiced sex. From 833 respondents 228 (27.4%) have knowledge about
emergency contraception; Correct timing of emergency contraception was reported only by 82
(9.8%) and 20 (2.4%) of them had ever used emergency contraception. Oral contraceptive pill
was the most widely used 13 (65.0%). Health professionals were main source of information
126 (55.3%), but some of the health workers have no in-service training on emergency
contraception. About 548 (65.8%) of the respondents had favorable attitude towards the use of
emergency contraception. All of the health institutions were not providing family planning or
emergency contraception services for college students, beside the clinics in the college had no
family planning program.
Conclusion: There is high sexual violence & sexual harassment (high rate of unintended sex);
low awareness, knowledge and utilization of emergency contraceptives among college female
students and no favorable access to the service. Hence there is a need for collaborated effort to
improve service quality and prevent female students/women from life threatening behaviors
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Assessment of level of awareness