Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Towards Emergency Contraceptive Methods among Female Students in Abdisa Aga High School, Fiche Town, Northern, Ethiopia, 2016

Abstract

Despite the availability of highly effective methods of contraception, many pregnancies are unplanned and unwanted. These pregnancies carry a higher risk of morbidity and mortality, often due to unsafe abortion. Many of these unplanned pregnancies can be avoided using emergency contraception. Literature reveals that there is existence of knowledge, attitude and practice gaps on emergency contraception in the world including Ethiopia. This study was designed to assess knowledge, attitude and practice towards emergency contraceptive methods among female students in Abdisa Aga high school Fitche town, North shewa, Ethiopia. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 258 female students in Abdisa Aga high school Fiche town, north shewa, Ethiopia from 19/12/2015-30/08/2016. Study populations was selected from different educational levels (9th & 10th) using stratified random sampling technique. Data was edited, tallied and analyzed manually by using scientific calculator and was presented in texts, tables, and figures. In this study, 258 female students were participated. Out of them 235(91.1%) were between the age of 14-18 years. One hundred ninety (73.6%) of them were Oromo Ethnic group. Two hundred forty seven (95.7%) of those respondents were unmarried. Eighty eight (34.1%) had heard about emergency contraceptive, 45(51.1%) of them mentioned the correct recommended timing for oral pills of emergency contraception use. About 96(37.2%) of respondents had a history of sexual intercourse, and only 11(34.4%) of them used emergency contraceptives (ECs). In general knowledge of emergency contraceptive (EC) is low, the major source of information were mass media TV/radio. The majority of students those heard of Emergency contraceptives had no knowledge of the correct time limit to Emergency Pills and Intrauterine Contraceptive Device. Lack of information about emergency contraceptive could be barrier from being utilization by individual who need Emergency contraceptives (ECs) and this lead to unintended pregnancy. The study recommends that academic institution and health bureaus should work on the promotion and enhancement of health education about emergency contraceptive among students of high school.