USE OF EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION BY FEMALE STUDENT NURSES IN IBADAN, OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Emergency Contraception (EC) is an important option in preventing unplanned pregnancy, which is a public health concern among young women in Nigeria. Few studies have focused on use of EC among Female Student Nurses (FSNs) who are being trained to offer services and educate clients on EC. This study was therefore designed to determine the use of EC and factors associated with its knowledge by FSNs in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. The study was cross-sectional in design using total sampling procedure to recruit 198 consenting FSNs from the 8 nursing institutions in lbadan: {2 Basic Nursing Schools (BNS), 6 Post-Basic Nursing Schools (PBNS), and the Department of Nursing (DN), University of lbadan (UI). A. semi-structured self-administered questionnaire which included a 16-point knowledge scale, sexual behaviours, and use of EC was used to collect data. Knowledge scores of <6, 6-11 and >11 were categorised as poor, fair and good respectively. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test and binary logistic regression at p=0.05. Respondents' age was 22.4±4.2 years. The respondents from BNS, PBS and UNP of UI were 40.4%, 35.9%, and 23.7% respectively. A large majority of the respondents (82.1%) had never married. Most (84.5%) had heard about EC. Majority (72.1%) had poor knowledge, while 24.5% and 3.4% had fair and good knowledge respectively. Also, 61.4% had boyfriend and 45.7% had had sex. Condom use (69.7%) was the most preferred method of contraception. Of those sexually currently having sex, 50.2% had used EC. Postinor II was the commonest brand of EC ever used by 71.2% of respondents. Majority (87.0%) of those who had used EC reported it was effective, and 13.0% said it failed. A significantly higher proportion of respondents 53.2% with regular sexual partner compared with those with non-regular sexual partners (34.4%) had used EC. Proportion of respondents who had used EC was significantly higher among those who had experienced unwanted pregnancy (78.8%) compared to those who had never done so (21.2%). Those who were younger were less likely to have good knowledge of EC when compared to older respondents (OR=0.27, Cl; 0.09-0.76). The basic female nurses students were less likely to have good knowledge than post basic students (OR=0.43, CI; 0.24-0.77). Also, not having history of unplanned pregnancy was the significant determinant of using EC (OR=5.21 CI: 1.4 -18.19). Knowledge and use of emergency contraception among nursing students was poor. Health educational strategies such as training and social marketing are required to promote the use of emergency contraception among nursing students.