Knowledge of Emergency Contraceptives and Associated Factors among Female Students of Government High Schools, Bole Sub-city, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Emergency contraception is an effective contraceptive method or procedure that can be used by adolescents to avert unwanted pregnancy following unprotected sexual intercourse, missing or non-use of regular contraceptives methods. Unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortions are major public health problems in developing countries especially in adolescents. Most unwanted pregnancies could have been prevented especially among adolescents. However, there is existence of knowledge gaps on emergency contraceptives among female high school students. OBJECTIVES: this study aimed to assess the knowledge of emergency contraceptives and associated factors among female students of Government High Schools, Bole Sub-city, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2023/24. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Bole Sub-city, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A simple random sampling was used to select 634 female students using multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected by using self-administered questionnaire and entered into EpiData version 3.1 and analyzed using STATA 15. Descriptive statistics, Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis were used to assess associations. RESULTS: The magnitude of emergency contraceptive knowledge was 41.6% (95% CI: 37.77, 45.59) among female high school students. Females age 18 years and above [AOR = 3.73; 95 % CI (1.05, 13.18)],married[AOR = 3.29; 95 % CI(1.09, 9.86], having boyfriend[AOR = 1.94 ; 95 % CI( 1.21, 3.12)]; having discussion about Reproductive Health(RH)issues with their parents[AOR = 1.70; 95 % CI( 1.17, 2.47)];and having sexual intercourse history[AOR = 3.56; 95 % CI( 1.28, 9.84)] were significantly associated with knowledge of emergency contraceptives CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: The study shows that there is an inadequate level of knowledge towards emergency contraceptives among school female students. Therefore, there is a need to educate female high school students to improve their knowledge and awareness on emergency contraceptives. Key words: Knowledge, Emergency Contraceptives, Female high school students, Bole