ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to estimate the general knowledge, attitude and practice of Emergency Contraception (EC) among female students at Kampala International University-Western Campus. METHOD: A questionnaire was constructed to assess knowledge, attitudes and practice of EC. There were 217 female students approached and each filled a questionnaire which was used to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of EC. RESULTS: 67% of the female students knew about ECs while 33% didn’t know. Majority 40% obtained the information from health education/lecture. Those that knew about EC where assessed further for knowledge attitude and practice. The generally knowledge about EC was fair at 47%. The attitude toward EC was positive and the practice of EC was generally low at only 4%. There was a significant number of students with poor knowledge about EC of 31%. CONCLUSION: The general level of knowledge about ECs was fair. The general attitude of students towards ECs was positive. The practice of EC was low at only 4%. This study will help policy-makers by providing evidence-based knowledge to promote EC use among university students. Keywords: Female student, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Emergency contraception

 Table of Contents

DECLARATION ........................................................................................................................................... i

SUPERVISOR’S APPROVAL .................................................................................................................... ii

DEDICATION............................................................................................................................................. vi

ACKNOLWEDGMENT............................................................................................................................. vii

ABSTRACT............................................................................................................................................... viii

LIST OF ACRONYMS ............................................................................................................................... ix

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................1

1.1 BACKGROUND ................................................................................................................................1

1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT.................................................................................................................3

1.3 OBJECTIVES.....................................................................................................................................3

1.3.1 BROAD OBJECTIVE .................................................................................................................3

1.3.2 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES............................................................................................................3

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS.................................................................................................................3

1.5 JUSTIFICATION ...............................................................................................................................4

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW...............................................................................................5

2.1 Introduction.........................................................................................................................................5

2.2 Knowledge about emergency contraception .......................................................................................5

2.3 Attitude towards emergency contraception.........................................................................................6

2.3 Practice of emergency contraception ..................................................................................................6

CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY .....................................................................................................8

3.1 STUDY AREA ...................................................................................................................................8

3.2 STUDY DESIGN................................................................................................................................8

3.3 STUDY POPULATION .....................................................................................................................8

3.4 SAMPLE SIZE DETERMINATION .................................................................................................8

3.5 SAMPLING METHOD ......................................................................................................................8

3.6INCLUSION AND EXCLUSION CRITERIA ...................................................................................9

3.7 STUDY LIMITATIONS.....................................................................................................................9

3.8 DATA ANALYSIS.............................................................................................................................9

3.9 OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS.......................................................................................................9

3.10 DISSEMINATION OF RESULTS...................................................................................................9

3.11 ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS......................................................................................................9

iv

CHAPTER FOUR RESULTS ....................................................................................................................10

4.1 Participation rate ...............................................................................................................................10

4.2 Demographic distribution .................................................................................................................10

4.3 Knowledge about emergency contraception .....................................................................................10

4.4 Attitude towards emergency contraception.......................................................................................11

4.5 Practice of emergency contraception ................................................................................................11

FIGURE 1: Religious distribution of respondents..................................................................................12

FIGURE 2: Distribution of respondents according to year of study.......................................................13

FIGURE 3: Distribution of awareness about emergency contraception .................................................14

TABLE 1: Age distribution of respondents............................................................................................15

TABLE 2: Source of information about emergency contraception ........................................................15

TABLE 3: Methods used in emergency contraception. ..........................................................................16

TABLE 4: Distribution of respondents according to knowledge about emergency contraception.........16

TABLE 5: Attitude of respondents towards emergency contraception ..................................................17

FIGURE 4; Comparing year of study and level of knowledge about emergency contraception ............18

CHAPTER FIVE DISCUSION ..................................................................................................................19

5.1 Knowledge about emergency contraception .....................................................................................19

5.2 Attitude towards emergency contraception.......................................................................................19

5.3 Practice of emergency contraception ................................................................................................19

5.4 Limitations of study ..........................................................................................................................20

5.6 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................................20

5.7 Recommendations.............................................................................................................................20

REFERENCES ...........................................................................................................................................21

APPENDICES ............................................................................................................................................24

APPENDIX I; CONSENT FORM..................................................................................................................24

APPENDIX II: QUESTIONIER.............................................................................................................25

APPENDIX II; BUDGET.......................................................................................................................27

APPENDIX III; Map of Uganda showing location of Bushenyi district................................................28

APPENDIX IV; Map of Bushenyi District.............................................................................................29

APPENDIX V; Map of Ishaka showing Kampala International University Western Campus. .............30

APPENDIX VI; TIME FRAME. ............................................................................................................31