KNOWLEDGE AND USE OF CONTRACEPTIVES AMONG FEMALE STAFF OF COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN, NIGERIA

Abstract

Contraceptive is a mechanism or means by which conception as a result of sexual intercourse can be prevented or made less likely. Contraception prevents pregnancy by interfering with the normal process of ovulation, fertilization and implantation. Nigeria is ranked among the ten fastest growing populations in the world and currently the most populated country in Africa. This high population however has not been commensurate with the level of social and economic development of the country which present significant challenges to harnessing the demographic dividend and creating sustainable development. Currently, more than 70% of Nigerians live below the international poverty line of $1.90. Population growth in Nigeria represents an annual growth rate of 3.2% or 5.6 million people per annum. This study was therefore designed to investigate the knowledge and use contraceptive among female staff of College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study using validated semi-structured self administered questionnaire involving Female staff of College of Medicine, University of Ibadan who consented to participate in the study through a multi-stage sampling technique. The knowledge on contraceptives was assessed using a 25-point knowledge scale; knowledge score of <8 was rated as poor knowledge, KS of ≥8<16 was rated as fair knowledge and KS ≥16 was rated as good knowledge; a twenty- four (24) - item statement was asked to document the types of contraceptive while five (5) questions were used to examine the factors influencing use of contraceptives. Sources of information on contraceptive were also highlighted. Data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics at p<0.05 level of significance. Age of respondents was 40.0 ± 9.2 years. Majority were married (79.6%), Yoruba (95.2%) and Christians (86.6%). Majority (95.0%) had minimum of tertiary education. Respondents, (43.6%) had good knowledge, 47.3% had fair knowledge while (9.1%) had poor knowledge of contraceptive. Health workers were the major source of information to respondents (71%). The mean age of sexual debut was 23.7 ± 5.5 years. Majority (79.6%) of the respondents reported that they had ever used contraceptives among which 53.2% were current users at the time of the survey. Respondents (39.4%) mentioned that their male partners used condom, followed by intra uterine device (26.0%) and safe period calculation (11.9%). There were also significant relationships between level of education and knowledge of contraceptive and extent of use of contraceptives and knowledge of use of contraceptive and use of contraceptive. Fair knowledge and current use of contraceptive were documented among the study population. Health education can be used to motivate female staff on consistent use of contraceptives to promote women’s health.