MODERN CONTRACEPTIVE USE AMONG APPRENTICES IN IBADAN NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, IBADAN, OYO STATE

Abstract

Family planning is a key factor to achieving the Sustainable Development Goal but it is relatively low in Nigeria. The socio-cultural and religious views on contraception poses a barrier to contraceptive use and this results to poor knowledge and low contraceptive use. Although studies have been carried out among in school adolescents, however few studies have been carried out among youths in the artisan group as regards contraceptive use. Thus, this study was aimed at investigating the modern contraceptive use among apprentices in Ibadan North Local Government area. This was a cross-sectional study that used a three stage sampling technique to select 320 youths from tailors, hairdressers, traders, mechanics and carpentry group of artisans in their shops. Data were collected using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitative data were collected using a validated semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire. The questionnaire contained questions on the use of contraceptives, knowledge and attitudinal disposition of respondents to contraceptive use. Contraceptive use was measured in frequency and percentages, Knowledge was measured on a 21-point scale; score of 0<7 was classified as poor, ≥7<14 as fair and ≥14≤21 was classified as good. The attitude of the respondents was measured using a Likert scale. Concurrently, qualitative data were collected from consenting family planning service providers at primary health care centre and State coordinator for family planning services, using a Key informant interview (KII) guide. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics at p<0.05 while qualitative data were analysed thematically. The contraceptive use among those who currently have sex was (94.5%) in this study. The mean age was 19.5±2.5 years and (64.7%) were mostly females. Most of the respondents (72.8%) had a fair knowledge on modern contraceptive with a mean score of 11.9+3.0. Slightly above half of the respondents (56.9%) have had sex and Condom (54.4%) and pills (51.7%) were the most used contraceptives by the respondents, this was corroborated with the KII were condoms and pills were mostly used by youths. Most (55.0%) of the respondents sometimes use any of the two methods. Socio demographic factors that influenced contraceptive use were age (X2 =23.9 p-value=0.0), sex (X2 =7.0 p-value=0.0) and artisan group (X2 =14.8 p-value=0.0). Knowledge was found to influence contraceptive use (X2 =11.3 p-value=0.0). Attitudes of health care worker was also significantly associated with contraceptive use by youths (X2 =5.9 p-value=0.0). The KIIs revealed that there is a need to integrate the parents into educating their youths on contraceptives and its importance and to create more enabling environments for contraceptives among the apprentices. Majority of the respondents had fair knowledge on contraceptives but their contraceptive use was quite high among those who currently have sex, however their sex and age and artisan group influence their use. Health Education strategies such as, advocacy and use of workplace setting should be used to design educational intervention and training aimed at empowering each youth to informed decision about contraceptive use. Positive attitude from family planning service provider is also recommended to address these gaps on youth’s contraceptive use.