KNOWLEDGE AND CONTRACEPTIVES USE BEHAVIOUR AMONG UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN

Abstract

Young people engage in risky sexual behaviour but do not utilize contraceptives. This has led to an increase in unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections in this population. Most Previous studies have focused on knowledge and non-utilisation of contraceptives among only female undergraduates. Hence this study was designed to assess and compare contraceptive knowledge and use behaviour among male and female undergraduates in University of Ibadan. This cross-sectional survey employed a multistage sampling technique which included stratification by halls of residence, proportionate statistics, simple random and systematic sampling to recruit 315 respondents for the study. A semi structured self-administered questionnaire was used to elicit information on socio-demographic characteristics, contraceptive knowledge, use and misconceptions. Knowledge was measured on a 7-point scale and score of <4 was categorised as poor. Contraceptive use was classified as ever use or never used as well as pattern of use which was categorised as always use and sometimes use. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square with significant level set at p<0.05. Respondents’ age was 20.8±4.2 years and 57.5% were males. Respondents’ halls of residence were Queens (14.6%), Idia (19.0%), Bello (16.8%), Tedder (16.5%), Mellanby (16.8%) and ABH (16.2%). Virtually all (99.4%) respondents had heard of contraceptives and their main source of information for contraceptives was media (37.6%). More than half (55.3%) had poor knowledge of contraceptives (51.3%, males; 61.9%, females). Almost half (45.4%) of the respondents had had sexual intercourse. Of these, 63.9% of them had their first sexual debut as adolescents, 66.7% had their first sexual intercourse with their boyfriends, 23.0% with casual acquaintance and 6.7% with a family member. About one-third of them had regular sexual partners and 30.2% had more than one sexual partner. Majority (71.8%) had used contraceptive; male condom (88.2%) was the most commonly used. Many (46.5%) respondents’ pattern of contraceptive use was inconsistent. About half (49.2%) of the respondent believed condom can reduce sexual pleasure.

There was a significant relationship between knowledge of contraceptives and respondents’ sex, level of study, hostel but not with marital status and age group .There was a significant relationship between respondents’ sexual behaviour (ever had sex) and age group, sex and knowledge of contraceptives. There was no significant association between contraceptive use (ever used any contraceptive) and age, sex, religion. Almost all the respondents are aware of contraceptives however knowledge on contraception is still low and there is no significant relationship between knowledge of contraceptives and pattern of contraceptive use. Reproductive health education with particular focus on lifestyle and contraceptive education is needed by these students in order to improve their knowledge, infuse skills that will help them to engage in positive lifestyle and promote adoption of contraceptives when necessary.