Perception of Condoms and Emergency Contraceptive Pill Use among Students in the University of Bamenda

Abstract

Background: Globally, university students fall in the youth group prone to unattended sexual risks which may lead to unwanted pregnancy and STI/HIV. In Cameroon, more than a third of maternal deaths occur among adolescent girls and young mothers. Unwanted pregnancies results from the infrequent use of modern contraceptive methods and is one of the main causes of death in this population. Condoms are barrier contraceptive that have a beauty of dual protection-against pregnancy and transmission of STI/HIV, meanwhile emergency contraceptives has just one function which is protection against unwanted pregnancy. Aim: To assess the perception of condoms and emergency contraceptive pill use among students in the university of Bamenda, Cameroon. Materials and Methods: A university-based cross-sectional study was conducted among students in the University of Bamenda, North West Region of Cameroon, a cosmopolitan area approximately about 19 km from Bamenda main town (Commercial Avenue). The study was carried out over a period of three months. Data were collected using a structured interviewer questionnaire administered through Google form. Data collected were extracted into excel sheet and analysed with SPSSv23. Results: The study included 719 students (318 males and 401 females). The rate of male and female condom use was 28.5% and 8.1% respectively. The mean age of our study populations was 24.5 ± 4.97 years with 52.7% of population between 20 to 24 years of age. Knowledge about condoms was high at 98.3%, however, 91.9% of participants have never used the female condoms before. Highest factor recorded for non-utilisation of the male and females condoms were reduction in sexual pleasure (47.4%) and lack of knowledge on usage (44.1%) respectively. 95% of students have knowledge on Emergency Contraceptive Pills (ECPs) but just an average (52.4%) have used it before. Fear of side effects (47.4%) was the main reason for not using ECPs. Conclusion: There is a very high knowledge about condom and emergency contraceptive pill among students. However, the rate of usage recorded was very low with highest source of information being the media/internet and lowest among relatives/family.