Contraceptive Use and Associated Factors among Dilla University Female Students, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background

Decision making to use contraceptives by female university students involves a complex interaction of individual, social, family and peer factors. These elements take steps in combination with environmental and psychosocial factors such as access to facilities and attitudes towards sexual and reproductive behaviors that influence the contraceptive decision that university students make.

Methods

A cross sectional study design was used. The data were collected from 551 randomly selected female students of Dilla University by using pre-tested structured questionnaire. Data were entered using EPI info Version 3.5.1 and analyzed by SPSS version 20. Descriptive statistics was computed and odds ratio along with the 95% confidence interval was estimated to identify factors associated with contraceptive use using multivariate logistic regression. Level of statistical significance was declared at P- value less or equal to 0.05.

Results

In this study the prevalence of contraceptive use was 20.9 % [95% CI 17.9, 23.9%]. Out of the total respondents, 180 (32.8%) were sexually active, from which 96 (53.3%) started their first sex at age 15-17 and 75 (41.7%) started their first sex at age 18-20. From 178 (32.3%) respondents that had sex in the last 12 months, more than half 115 (64.4%) had used contraceptives and 63 (35.6%) did not use contraceptive. Embarrassment to buy, fear of side effects and lack of information where to get the method were the main reasons for not using contraceptives. Attitude towards who should take responsibility was found to be a significantly associated with use contraceptive [AOR =4.2, 95% CI: (2.34 – 12.86)] and not discussing contraceptive issues with friends was found to be a significantly associated with not to use contraceptive [AOR =0.32, 95% CI: (0.15-0.70)].

Conclusion and recommendation

Though the respondents’ information about contraceptives and attitude towards contraceptive use is optimum, the magnitude of non use contraceptive was found to be high among sexually active participants. Peer to peer discussions and pursuing mutual responsibility among sexual partners can enhance use of contraceptives among female university students. The university and local health bodies should work together to improve contraceptive use among sexually active students.

Key words: contraceptives, adolescent and youth