Minimising the risk of unwanted pregnancies among female university undergraduates in Lagos, Nigeria: The quantum of knowledge and use of long acting reversible contraceptives

Abstract

Nigerian young adults face a lot of challenges in their reproductive health with unintended pregnancies. Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs) are a group of birth control methods which provide longer contraceptive cover with minimal maintenance. This study was designed to assess the awareness and practices regarding LARCs in female undergraduates at a cosmopolitan university of South West Nigeria. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in March 2011 amongst 363 female students of a tertiary institution in Lagos Nigeria using pre-tested, structured questionnaires. Respondents were recruited by multistage sampling technique whilst Microsoft Excel and Epi Info Version 3.5.1 Statistical Softwares were used for data entry and analysis. Further analyses were conducted to test for possible association between variables with level of significance set at p<0.05. Regular sexual activity was documented in 37.2% of respondents. Less than half (42.4%) of the respondents had heard about LARCs with the popular sources of information being lectures and health workers in descending proportions of 59.7 and 42.9%, respectively. The most popular LARC known to the respondents is Copper T. Out of the sexually active respondents, 46.7% had heard of LARCs and only 19.4% use them. The commonest LARC used is IUCD in 13.4% and the commonest non-LARC used is the condom as reported by 47.8% of the respondents. Most of the sexually active respondents (94.8%) had never visited a Family Planning Clinic. © Medwell Journals, 2012.