Abstract

Chaltu Hinkosa*, Dinka Dugassa and Ginenus Fekadu

ABSTRACT

Background: Emergency contraceptive (EC)is a type of modern contraception that is indicated after unprotected sexual intercourse following sexual abuse, misuse of regular contraception or non use of contraception.EC can reduce the risk of unintended pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse or contraceptive failure by 75% to 99%, if it is taken within 72 hours of sexual intercourse. It is estimated that of the 210 million pregnancies that occur each year, 80 million are unintended. In Ethiopia Unwanted pregnancy is a big problem; more than 60% of the pregnancies in adolescents are unwanted which is an alarming figure, and most of these pregnancies particularly in adolescents end up with unsafe abortion. Objective: To assess Knowledge, attitude and practice of Shambu Preparatory School female students towards use of Emergency Contraceptive. Methodology: A cross - sectional study design involving self administered structured questionnaire was conducted to asses Knowledge, Attitude and Practices toward Emergency Contraceptive among female students in Shambu Preparatory School from Feb 23, 2015 to March 23, 2018. Results: Response was obtained from 301 female students making the response rate 100%. Almost all of the respondents 279 (92.69%) were within age group of 15-19 years. and ranged from 15 to 30 years with a mean age of 17.40 ±1.53.Majority of the study subjects 264(87.70%) were from oromo ethnic group. And 245 (81.40) had urban background. The majority 264(96.34%) was single. Most 138 (45.85%) were protestant. The distribution of the study subjects on the bases of their grade showed that, 152 (50.50%) of the respondents were grade 11 students, and 149(49.50%) are grade 12 and 185(61.46%) were natural science students Conclusion and Recommendation: The majority of respondents in this study heard about EC and had good knowledge but most have negative Attitude and Practices of emergency contraceptive were low.EC is the only option of preventing unwanted pregnancy after unprotected sexual Intercourse. To raise client?s skills on EC materials like pamphlet, news papers, Posters etc should be available in all libraries of high school, colleges, Health institutes and other Accessible areas.