Emergency contraception: A different perspective on knowledge and use among female undergradutes in a non-residential tertiary institution in Nigeria

This study assessed the knowledge and use of emergency contraception among female undergraduates of a non-residential tertiary institution in Lagos, Nigeria. It was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in March, 2011 amongst 363 consenting female undergraduates using pre-tested, structured questionnaires. Respondents were recruited by multistage sampling technique whilst data analysis was done using Epi Info Version 3.5.1 Statistical Software with level of significance set at P<0.05. About 26.7% of the respondents were aware of emergency contraceptives, with their major sources of information being friends (55.7%) and doctors (34%). Few (16.5%) respondents were aware that emergency contraceptives are effective within 72 h of use. The proportion of usage of emergency contraceptives amongst respondents who had heard of emergency contraceptives was 21.7%. It was concluded that information sharing strategies on emergency contraception may prove useful in deterring untoward consequences of unprotected sexual experiences amongst the youths.     Key words: Contraceptives, emergency, female, undergraduates, tertiary.This study assessed the knowledge and use of emergency contraception among female undergraduates of a non-residential tertiary institution in Lagos, Nigeria. It was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in March, 2011 amongst 363 consenting female undergraduates using pre-tested, structured questionnaires. Respondents were recruited by multistage sampling technique whilst data analysis was done using Epi Info Version 3.5.1 Statistical Software with level of significance set at P<0.05. About 26.7% of the respondents were aware of emergency contraceptives, with their major sources of information being friends (55.7%) and doctors (34%). Few (16.5%) respondents were aware that emergency contraceptives are effective within 72 h of use. The proportion of usage of emergency contraceptives amongst respondents who had heard of emergency contraceptives was 21.7%. It was concluded that information sharing strategies on emergency contraception may prove useful in deterring untoward consequences of unprotected sexual experiences amongst the youths.     Key words: Contraceptives, emergency, female, undergraduates, tertiary.This study assessed the knowledge and use of emergency contraception among female undergraduates of a non-residential tertiary institution in Lagos, Nigeria. It was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in March, 2011 amongst 363 consenting female undergraduates using pre-tested, structured questionnaires. Respondents were recruited by multistage sampling technique whilst data analysis was done using Epi Info Version 3.5.1 Statistical Software with level of significance set at P<0.05. About 26.7% of the respondents were aware of emergency contraceptives, with their major sources of information being friends (55.7%) and doctors (34%). Few (16.5%) respondents were aware that emergency contraceptives are effective within 72 h of use. The proportion of usage of emergency contraceptives amongst respondents who had heard of emergency contraceptives was 21.7%. It was concluded that information sharing strategies on emergency contraception may prove useful in deterring untoward consequences of unprotected sexual experiences amongst the youths.     Key words: Contraceptives, emergency, female, undergraduates, tertiary.