ஐ.எஸ்.எஸ்.என்: 2155-6148
Tilahun Ermeko Wanamo*, Ahmed Yasin Mohammed, Fikadu Nugusu Dessalegn
Introduction: Emergency contraception refers to the type of contraception that is used as Emergency procedure to prevent unintended pregnancy following an unprotected act of sexual intercourse. Knowledge, attitude and practice of Emergency contraceptives in Ethiopia are very low among adolescents/youngsters. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine knowledge, attitude and practice on emergency contraceptive among Goba preparatory and high school female students.
Methods and Materials: School based cross-sectional study was conducted among 260 preparatory and high school female students. After securing the list of female students from the school, Systematic sampling technique was used to select study subjects and data was collected by self-administered questionnaire. Finally the data was analyzed using SPSS version 16 software package.
Results: There were a total of 260 respondents, the majority 255 (98.1%) being the age group 14-19 and few were between the ages of 20-24. Most of them were single 216 (83.1%), 15 (5.5%) and were able to tell correctly the result Were sexually active, 3 have given a history of previous pregnancy and 2 had history of induced abortion. Most of the students, 205 (78.8 %), had heard about emergency contraceptives and the most cited source of information were media and health personals. Out of those who have heard, only 21 were able to tell correctly the recommended time for emergency contraceptives use (i.e. within 72 hours of unprotect sex). Indeed emergency contraceptives use among those with prior knowledge was found to be very low 25 (12%).
Conclusion and recommendation: Based on this research result, a significant number of respondents had positive attitudes 185 (71.2%) whereas the general awareness, detail knowledge and practice of emergency contraceptives among students are very low. It is recommended that adolescent reproductive health/family planning program be initiated in school. Further ensuring on safe sex practice and to do adolescent emergency contraceptive information and service should be promoted.