Reproductive health knowledge and use of contraceptives among adolescent mothers in a sub-urban community in Oyo state, Nigeria

Abstract

This survey explored the reproductive health knowledge and use of contraceptives among 316 young mothers in Ogbere, a sub-urban community in Oyo State, Nigeria. A cluster sampling technique was used to recruit the respondents and data were collected from them through face-to face interviews using questionnaires. The ages of the respondents ranged from 17-20 with a mean of 18.9. The majority (76.9%) of the respondents were married and had primary school education (72.8%). Five percent had lost a pregnancy due to abortion, miscarriage or still birth. Forty-three percent had fair, 34.5% poor, and 22.5% good knowledge of contraceptives; 53% did not know any of the routes for HIV transmission. A large majority (70%) had never used any contraceptives, 29% had done so. Eighty percent of those who had ever used any contraceptive were using one at the time of the survey. The most popular contraceptives used were condoms (44.4%) and pills (16.1 %). Interventions to improve the economic status and promote use of contraceptives are recommended for this population.