The use, knowledge and attitudes regarding hormonal contraceptive products of female first-year students in a Faculty of Health Sciences

Background: Effective contraception plays a major role in the economic advancement of women. New hormonal products offer more effective solutions with fewer side effects. This study aimed to assess the use, knowledge and attitudes regarding hormonal contraception of female first-year students across various health profession courses. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted during August to October 2017 targeting all female first-year students of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Free State. Results: Self-administered anonymous questionnaires were completed by 261 students (response rate 81.6%). At the time of the study, 29.6% of the study population reported using hormonal contraceptive products; 51.7% of users cited acne as the indication. Among users of hormonal contraceptives, combined oral contraception was the most commonly used (86.0%), and was regarded as the most effective (33.2%). A third of the students (36.2%) were aware that some medication could influence the effectiveness of combined oral contraception. Half (52.3%) had no knowledge of the subdermal implant and 34.8% did not know what an intrauterine system was. According to 28.2%, post-coital use of hormonal products is not an acceptable method of contraception. Almost 90% (87.3%) indicated that an education intervention regarding hormonal contraception is needed at the university. Conclusion: The study population lacks detailed and sufficient knowledge of critical aspects of contraception, such as relative effectiveness, and factors that affect these; long-acting reversible contraceptives; and emergency contraception. A formal education intervention is proposed

Connaissances et utilisation de la contraception d'urgence chez les adolescentes

Objectifs. Evaluer l'etendue des connaissances; les attitudes et la pratique de la contraception d'urgence chez les jeunes filles eleves en Cote d'Ivoire; ainsi que les facteurs influencant sa connaissance et sa perception. Methode. Il s'agissait d'une etude transversale descriptive realisee au Lycee Classique d'Abidjan; un etablissement d'enseignement general. Seules les filles de terminale ont ete selectionnees car; a la fois les plus exposees aux grossesses precoces et ayant une activite sexuelle averee. La collecte des donnees s'est deroulee sur un mois; en mars 2010. Resultats. Cinquatre-quatre pour cent (54%) ignoraient l'existence de la contraception d'urgence. Parmi celles qui en avaient entendu parler; 41;7% ne possedaient guere de connaissances precises sur la methode de contraception d'urgence. Les sources d'informations formelles etaient associees a une bonne connaissance de cette methode. Globalement; 78;1% avaient une attitude favorable. Cependant il existait une crainte chez certaines participantes de voir cette methode se substituer au preservatif. Son usage etait faible pour 5;5% des enquetes. Le premier obstaclea son utilisation semble etre du au manque d'information du public. Conclusion. Il existe un besoin urgent de sensibilisation des jeunes ivoiriennes a la contraception d'urgence; et surtout aux methodes disponibles; ainsi qu'au delai correct d'emploi. Ainsi; elles pourront y avoir recours beaucoup plus facilement

Emergency contraception amongst female college students ­ knowledge, attitude and practice

Background: Unwanted teenage pregnancies have a notable detrimental impact on the learners' trajectory and have been associated with jeopardising the students' educational progress and future career prospects. These pregnancies are mostly unplanned and unintended and many are terminated; either legally or illegally. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the contributory role played by the knowledge; attitude and practices of female college students with respect to the utilisation of emergency contraceptives. Setting: Three tertiary institutions in Dessie; Ethiopia. Methods: Quantitative self-administered questionnaires were used to collect descriptive data from 352 female college students. Results: The study revealed that there was a high percentage (78.3) of unwanted pregnancies amongst those engaging in sex. Significantly; nearly half (43.3) of these unwanted pregnancies resulted in abortion. Only 10 of the students sampled admitted to ever having used emergency contraception. Even though more than half (69.9) of the students knew about emergency contraception; only 27 of them felt confident that they understood when it was most effective. Conclusion: These and other observed findings confirm the need for improvement of female college students' knowledge and timely utilisation of emergency contraception

Promoting and prioritising reproductive health commodities: understanding the emergency contraception value chain in South Africa

Use of emergency contraception is low in South Africa despite high rates of unplanned and unwanted pregnancies. Existing studies have demonstrated that women access emergency contraception from commercial pharmacies rather than from public health facilities at no charge. Research has also demonstrated that awareness of emergency contraception is a key barrier to improving uptake, especially in the public health sector. This study investigates the low use of emergency contraception in South Africa and employs a qualitative value chain analysis to explore the role of market and regulatory structures in creating an enabling environment for the supply and promotion of emergency contraception. The results suggest that there are several 'market imperfections' and information barriers impacting on the effective supply of emergency contraception to women who are dependent on the public health sector for their health care. Balancing commercial interests with reproductive health needs, it is argued, may form a crucial part of the solution to the low uptake of emergency contraception in South Africa (Afr J Reprod Health 2010; 14[1]:9-20)