Utilisation of Emergency Contraceptives among Female Undergraduates at the University of Kabianga, Kenya

Abstract

Background: Emergency contraception (EC) refers to contraceptive methods for the prevention of pregnancy resulting from unprotected sexual intercourse. They are very effective and can prevent up to 95% of unintended pregnancies if used within five days of sexual intercourse. To lessen complications from an unwanted pregnancy, emergency contraceptives can be an advantage. Africa requires a comprehensive contraceptive program to avert unwanted pregnancies and maternal mortality related to the termination of pregnancy. Objective: This study sought to determine the prevalence of emergency contraceptive utilisation among female undergraduate students of the University of Kabianga, Kenya. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was adopted to collect quantitative data. Stratified random sampling was used to select students. The sample size of the study was 154. Each year of study formed strata. Self-administered questionnaires were used. Data was analysed to determine the prevalence, where percentages, pie diagrams and bar charts were generated. Results: The majority of the respondents were utilising EC with a prevalence rate of 70%. The majority used oral contraceptive pills (97.4%) and intra-uterine contraceptive device (2.6%). A total of 44.6% of the respondents had used EC more than twice, once at 35.8% and twice at 19.6%. Almost half of the respondents were frequently using EC (40%), followed by those who had never used it (20%), (15%) who mostly frequently used it, (14%) who use it occasionally and (12%) who rarely use the emergency contraceptives. Conclusion: The majority of the respondents utilised emergency contraceptives at 70%. The oral pill (Postinor 2) was the popular form, with 97.4% of intrauterine contraceptive devices at 2.6% being the least used. A large number of female students used oral emergency contraceptives more than three times, meaning they need health education on contraception methods that have dual benefits as emergency contraceptives and long-term, like Intrauterine contraceptive devices.