Perspectives and utilization of emergency contraceptive pills by female students of public middle level colleges in Eldoret Municipality

Abstract

Introduction: Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) are oral contraceptive pills that a woman can take within 72 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse to reduce her risk of becoming pregnant. Although not as effective as a regular method, this emergency contraception can prevent unwanted pregnancy among women who have been sexually assaulted, experienced a contraceptive failure, forgotten to use a regular contraceptive method or used it incorrectly. Objectives: To determine the perspectives on the utilization of Emergency Contraceptives among female students of middle level public colleges in Eldoret Municipality, Kenya. Study area: Middle Level Public Colleges in Eldoret Municipality: Eldoret polytechnic and Rift Valley Technical Institute. Study design This was a cross sectional study design where the interaction with the respondents took place once and generated information about perspective on utilization of emergency contraceptive pills among female students. Study population: Female college students above 18 years from both the institutions Eldoret Polytechnic and Rift Valley Technical Institute. Sampling procedure: Stratified random sampling was applied to the selected sample of 329 from the study population of 2,298 who were stratified per their year of study. Simple random sampling was then applied to each strata (year of study). Data collection : The survey was conducted using semi structured questionnaire among 329 female students of both institutions that were selected proportional to the size of number of female students and six FGDS were held to complement the self administered questionnaires. Results: Out of the total 329 female college students 174(53%) were aware of emergency contraceptives pills There was significant association between age and awareness of emergency contraceptives. Specific knowledge on the correct timeframe and correct drug composition was low with 18% and 23% respectively. The most common source of information on ECPs was female friends.57% had positive attitude in terms of willing to recommend ECP to a friend. Utilization of emergency contraceptive was low with 35% indicating that they ever used emergency contraceptive pills, and private pharmacy was the most used source for emergency contraceptives pills. Conclusion: Basic awareness of emergency contraceptive was low, for those who were aware specific knowledge regarding correct time limit, drug composition was poor, Majority of students had positive attitude and were willing to recommend ECP to a friend. Utilization of emergency contraceptive was low. Private pharmacy was the most used source of purchase. Recommendation: The government and the private stakeholders should design strategies to provide appropriate information and improve access to ECP s in the country in general and colleges in particular to enhance the appropriate awareness of EC among young women. There is need for, promotion and enhancement of peer education and counseling on emergency contraceptives among students of college institutions.