ABSTRACT

Emergency contraception is a method of contraception that is used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse. This study was undertaken to determine the knowledge and practice of emergency contraception among female undergraduates in University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus. This study was carried out to determine the level of knowledge of emergency contraception, identify the sources of information on emergency contraception, determine the practice of emergency contraception, determine the association between age; level of study and the knowledge and practice of emergency contraception and compare the knowledge of students studying health-related courses and students studying non-health-related courses. The target population was female undergraduates of UNEC. Multi-stage and simple random sampling techniques were used to select the sample for study.206 female students participated in the study and data was collected using researcher’s constructed and validated questionnaire. Simple descriptive statistics was used to test for objectives and inferential test statistics was used. Out of 206 participants, 188 respondents returned their questionnaires. Most female students (71.3%) had knowledge of emergency contraception while (28.7%) had no knowledge of EC. The major sources of information of EC were lectures (58.2%) and friends (48.5%) and the types of EC they had heard were mostly Postinor-2 (66.4%) and IUCD (32.8%). Out of 188 respondents, only a few (32%) had ever used EC while a good number (83%) had not. In conclusion, despite the level of knowledge of EC was high, the practice of EC among female undergraduates in UNEC was low.

BLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page i

Certification Page ii

Abstract iii

Dedication iv

Acknowledgement v

Table of Content vi

List of Tables viii

List of Figures ix

Appendix x

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study 1

Statement of Problem 5

Objectives of the Study 6

Significance of the Study 6

Research Questions 7

Scope of Study 8

Limitation of Study 8

Operational Definition of Terms 8

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE OF REVIEW

Concept of Emergency Contraception (EC) 9

Indications of Use of Emergency Contraception 10

Methods or Types of Emergency Contraception              10

Contraindications to Emergency Contraception Use 11

Barriers to More Widespread Use of EC 12

Importance of EC                                     13

Theoretical Framework 15

Empirical Review 18

Summary of Literature Review 22

CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY

Design 26

Setting 26

Target Population 26

Sampling Technique 27

Instrument for Data Collection 28

Validity of Instrument 28

Reliability of Instrument method of Data Analysis 28

Method of Data Collection 28

Method of Data Analysis 29

Ethical Consideration 29

CHAPTER FOUR: ANALYSIS OF DATA 30

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS

Discussion of Findings 37

Implications for Nursing 40

Summary 41

Conclusion 42

Recommendations 43

Suggestions for Further Studies 43

References 44

Questionnaire 47