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Background:
Emergency contraception (EC) is a method used to prevent the occurrence of pregnancy after unprotected
intercourse. Unwanted pregnancy is a common problem among young unmarried women in Ethiopia
where more than 60% of all pregnancies among adolescents is unwanted. Despite the availability this
method, the prevalence of abortion is still high however, little is known about use of EC and factors
influencing its use among girls attending higher education in Ethiopia.
Objective: To assess magnitude and factors affecting emergency contraceptive use and prevalence of
unwanted pregnancy among female students in Aksum University.
Method: A cross-sectional quantitative study was done among 628 female under graduate students in
Aksum University using structured self administered questionnaire. Multistage sampling technique was
used to select participants. Data were cleaned and analyzed using SPSS version 21. Multivariate logistic
regression analysis was done to identify independent predictors of EC and variables with p-value <0.05
considered as significant predictors.
Result: A total of 617 students participated in this study. About quarter 147(23.8%) of the respondents
ever had sexual intercourse and 29 (19.7%) where married, 26(26.5%) had sex had their sexual debut
before 18 years. Fifty eight (39.5%) had been pregnant of whom 40(69%) were unwanted. Ever use of
emergency contraceptive among the sexually active was 92 (62.6%). Respondents who visited religious
place at least once a week were 3.76 times [AOR= 3.76; 95%CI, [2.482, 9.555], single 4.88 times [AOR=
4.88 95%; 1.937-12.288], respondents who have good knowledge on contraceptive 2.39 times
[AOR=2.39 95% CI; 1.202, 4.743], study year 8.71 (AOR=8.71; 95% CI; 2.68, 28.8) more likely to use
emergency contraceptive than their counterparts. Whereas those who did not discuss with their close
friend on emergency contraceptive 63% [AOR= 0.37, 95%, CI; 0.193, 0.703] and those who never
discussed on reproductive health issue with their family 42% [AOR= 0.58, 95%, CI0.321, 1.036] less
likely to use emergency contraceptive than counter parts.
Conclusions and recommendations: The prevalence of unwanted pregnancy is high while emergency
contraceptive use among the sexually active students was low .This may put young girls at risk
complication of unsafe abortion including premature death. There is a need to educate adolescents about
EC use in averting unwanted pregnancy through creating and strengthening different clubs at schools. |
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