Abstract
ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Unwanted pregnancy followed by unsafe abortion is one of the major worldwide health problems, which has many negative consequences on the health and well-being of women. Emergency contraception is a type of modern contraception that is indicated after unprotected sexual intercourse when regular contraception is not in use. This study summarized the knowledge, attitude and practice of ECs among female university students in Ethiopia. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies were conducted. Original studies were identified using databases of PubMed, Medline, Embase, Cinahl and Web of science. Heterogeneity across studies was checked using Cochrane Q test statistic and I2 test. The pooled prevalence of the knowledge, attitude and practice of ECs methods were computed using a random effect model. RESULTS: A total of 321 articles were retrieved through the initial search strategy, producing 15 observational studies from universities of Ethiopia for analysis. Based on the studies included in the meta-analysis, the pooled prevalence of level of knowledge, attitude and magnitude of utilization of ECs were 57.7% (95% CI: 49.8 to 65.3), 42.6% (95% CI: 41.4 to 43.8) and 9.2% 95% CI: 6.6 to 12.6), respectively. On the other hand, significant heterogeneity was observed between studies (Q = 664.9, p = 0.000, I2 = 97.9%). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis revealed that the pooled prevalence of level of knowledge, attitude and the magnitude of utilization of ECs were relatively low among female university students in Ethiopia. Hence, behavioral change strategies should be considered by responsible bodies to improve knowledge and bring attitudinal change on use of emergency contraception. KEYWORDS: Emergency contraceptives, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Meta-analysis, Systematic review, Ethiopia. (Ethiopian Journal of Reproductive Health 2017;9:60-71)
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