Knowledge, Perception and Practice of Contraception among Staff and Students in a University Community in Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

There is evidence to show that unplanned pregnancies are on the increase among women in Nigeria. It is true that one of the ways to improve reproductive health is by enhancing access to contraception. This study was to evaluate knowledge, perceptions and practices of contraception among 500 staff and students of a university in south-south Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in the Abraka and Oleh Campuses of Delta State University using appropriately designed, validated and pre-tested questionnaire. Data was analyzed with SPSS version 20. Respondents were students (70%), males (47.8%), aged 21-30 (48.9%) and Christians (90.9%). 84% of the respondents had good-to-excellent knowledge of contraceptives; 75.1% were sexually-active; contraceptive use prevalence was 58.2%; main reasons for non-use of contraceptive were hatred for it an intolerable side-effects. Condoms and oral pills were the preferred methods and safety, reliability and accessibility were proffered as reasons for choice; 17.3% had experienced contraceptive failure which resulted in abortion (47.4%). Pharmacy shops, health centers and Chemist shops were the sources for procuring contraceptive products; Family/friends, television and health professionals were sources of information about contraception; 46.7% did not experience side-effects; marital status was correlated with contraceptive knowledge and use. This study recommends that family planning should be vigorously promoted in a country like Nigeria with a high fertility, maternal and child mortality rates.