Attitudes and practices regarding contraception among male students in a Nigerian tertiary educational institution: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objectives: Limited data exists on attitudes and practices of young men in tertiary institutions towards contraception. This study assesses attitudes and practices regarding contraception among male students in a tertiary educational institution in northwestern Nigeria, identifying factors influencing these attitudes. Methods: This cross-sectional study conducted from July to August 2021 at Kaduna Polytechnic, Nigeria, involved 160 male students chosen via multistage sampling. Structured questionnaires gathered information on socio-demographic characteristics, awareness, attitudes, and contraceptive practices. Analysis utilized SPSS version 23.0, employing descriptive statistics, bivariate, and multivariable logistic regression analyses to determine significant factors influencing contraception attitudes. Results: Findings revealed a mean respondent age of 25.4 ± 3.5 years, with most being single (71.3%) and 51.2% sexually active. While awareness of contraceptives was high (85.6%), almost half (46.7%) exhibited negative attitudes towards contraception. Common concerns included reliability, impact on sexual pleasure, and traditional gender norms. Only 35.8% had ever used contraception, primarily using withdrawal and male condoms. Significant factors influencing positive attitudes included being aged 18–24 years compared to 26–35 years (AOR = 2.66, 95% CI: 1.22–5.82). Conclusion: Culturally sensitive interventions are vital for improving negative attitudes and low contraceptive use among male Nigerian youth.