Assessment of knowledge, perception and use of hormonal contraceptives by female undergraduate students in Benin City, Nigeria.
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Abstract
Background: Unwanted and unintended pregnancies that occur in young adults are associated with adverse maternal, foetal and neonatal outcomes. In order to avert these unintended pregnancies and consequent adverse outcomes, contraceptive use has been prioritized as a key intervention.
Objectives: To evaluate the knowledge, perception and use of hormonal contraceptives among female undergraduates in a tertiary institution.
Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out in the Ugbowo main campus of the University of Benin. A total of 320 undergraduate students from 300 level to 600 level of the Faculties of Agriculture, Management sciences and Pharmacy were surveyed using a validated self-administered questionnaire. The data obtained were analysed using Microsoft excel to obtain mean values, standard deviation, while statistical test for correlation was done using SPSS version22.0 Ethical considerations were observed.
Results: A response rate of 99.4% was obtained, modal age was 21-25 years. Most (52%) of the respondents were in their third academic year, Christians, Bini by tribe and unmarried. These students had a good knowledge of hormonal contraceptive (73.5%) and a low prevalence of contraceptive use (35.5%). The media (46.4%) together with friends and family (45.5%) accounted for the major source of information on contraceptives. Emergency pill was the major form of hormonal contraceptive known (60%) and used by respondents. The major reasons given for none use of hormonal contraceptive were its intolerable side effects and some negative perceptions. For choice of contraceptive, ease of use (70.2%), cost (10.3%) and safety (8.8%) were the major criteria; others included accessibility (6.3%) and reliability (4.4%).
Conclusion: This study has shown that though there is a good knowledge of contraceptives there is however a gap between knowledge and use of hormonal contraceptives among sexually active female undergraduate students despite its increased availability and accessibility. Drug information on the choice and safety of hormonal contraceptives should be advocated.
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