Gynecology & Obstetrics
Open Access

Utilization of emergency contraception and associated factors among university students at Wollo University, Amhara, Ethiopia

International Conference on Womens Health, Gynecology & Obstetrics

July 08-10, 2014 Chicago NorthShore, USA

Tesfamichael Awoke

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: Gynecol Obstet (Sunnyvale)

Abstract :

Ethiopia has a high incidence of unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions, particularly among adolescents. Use of emergency contraception can prevent unwanted pregnancies and hence reduce unsafe abortion. So, the objective of this study wasto assess the awareness level of students towards emergency contraception and to identify associated factors with the utilization. Cross sectional study was employed and self-administered questionnaire was used to gather data. Logistic regression was used to analyze associated factors and odds ratio with confidence intervals were used to present strength of association. A total of 577 female students were engaged in the study. Among those who have ever heard of the method (534) only 57% identified the recommended time to use the method. In addition, four hundred and seventy five (82.3%) participants were found to have adequate knowledge and 67.6%of the students had positive attitude towards emergency contraceptives. However, 33.1% of students believe that utilization of the method will increase the spread of HIV/AIDS. Among sexually active subjects(116) only 55.2% had ever used emergency contraceptives and 39.7% used it during last sexual intercourse. Positive attitude was strongly associated with utilization of the method(p=0.04). In concluding remark, awareness level of students about emergency contraception was high but majority of them have misconceptionregarding its role in the distribution of HIV/AIDS. Even if there is high level of awareness, utilization of the method is still in lack. So there is a need to educate students aboutemergency contraceptives and its appropriate use.

Biography :

Tesfamichael Awoke has completed his MPH degree at the age of 24 years from University of Gondar School of public health and BSc degree from Debub University. He is an officer for research and community service at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Ethiopia.