THE EFFECTS OF HEALTH EDUCATION AND PROVISION OF EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION ON THE KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES TO EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION BY FEMALE STUDENTS OF TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN ENUGU STATE

THE EFFECTS OF HEALTH EDUCATION AND PROVISION OF EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION ON THE KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES TO EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION BY FEMALE STUDENTS OF TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN ENUGU STATE

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:
Sporadic and unprotected sexual intercourse which is common among youths often results in unintended pregnancy with its attendant problems. These problems include high abortion rate, increased morbidity and mortality among young women, single parenthood and population explosion. These could be prevented by the use of emergency contraception (EC).
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
This was an intervention study to assess the effects of health education and provision of emergency contraception on the knowledge and attitudes to emergency contraception by female students of tertiary institutions. The
intervention which was given in July, 2005 was assessed 3 months later (October, 2005). Three hundred and seventy seven female undergraduates were selected from the 2 campuses of University of Nigeria (University of Nigeria, Enugu campus which was the study institution and University of Nigeria Nsukka which was the control institution) in Enugu state using a multistage sampling technique.
RESULTS:
Initially, a baseline data was collected from both groups using a pretested self administered questionnaire. Subsequently, health education was conducted only among students in the study group. The training was given in three sessions within a period of three weeks. In addition, emergency contraceptive pills (Postinor-2) were given to the 40 students who were found to be sexually active after the baseline survey. Three months after the intervention, its effects were assessed through a survey using the same questionnaire employed in the baseline study. Both the study and control institutions were assessed.
The results showed the highest improvement in knowledge of EC among the group who received both health education and ECPs with a knowledge score
of 84.0%. This was followed by the group who received only health education with a knowledge score of 49.0%. On the other hand, the knowledge score among the controls remained 22%. Fair knowledge of the forms of EC was significantly higher among the group that received both health education and ECPs than in the group that received only health education (X2 = 67.498, P < 0.05). In addition, fair knowledge of the forms of EC was significantly higher among the study group who received only health education when compared with the controls, (X2 = 8.521, P <0.05).
Similarly, following intervention, attitudes to EC was most favourable among those who received both health education and ECPs. They were followed respectively by the group who received only health education and the controls. A significantly higher proportion of those who received only health education believe that EC should be made widely available to every woman in need when compared with the controls, (P < 0.05). However, this attitude was significantly favoured by the group who received both health education and ECPs than in the group who received only health education (X2 = 7.441, P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
This study concludes that a combination of health education and advance provision of ECPs is more effective in improving knowledge and attitudes to EC among female undergraduates than health education alone. Hence, it is recommended that EC services should be provided at a subsidized rate in government clinics.

Title Page———i

Certification——–ii

Dedication———iii

Acknowledgement——-iv

Abstract ———vi

Table of Content——–vii

 

Chapter One

1.0 Introduction ——-1

1.1 Statement of Problem——4

1.2 Purpose of the Study——5

1.3 Significance of Study——8

1.4 Limitation——–9

1.5 Scope of Study——-11

 

Chapter Two

2.0 Review of Related Literature —-12

2.6 Summary of Literature Review—- 19

 

Chapter Three

3.0 Research Methodology and Procedure—22

3.1 Population ——–22

3.2 Sample and Sampling Technique—-22

3.3 Validation of the Instrument —-23

3.4 Reliability of the Instrument —–23

3.5 Data Analysis——-23

 

Chapter Four

4.0 Presentation and Discussion of Result—24

4.1 Analysis and interpretaion of Data—25

4.2 Discussion of Results——38

 

Chapter Five

5.0. Summary, Conclusion, and Recommendation  –40

5.1 Summary——–40

5.2 Conclusion——–41

5.3 Recommendation——42

References ———45

Appendix 1——–47

Appendix ———50

THE EFFECTS OF HEALTH EDUCATION AND PROVISION OF EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION ON THE KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES TO EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION BY FEMALE STUDENTS OF TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN ENUGU STATE

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