Lara Adejoro
Thirty-four percent of female undergraduates in Lagos have had a previous pregnancy, according to a study of 725 female undergraduates at the Lagos State University, Ojo.
The study, which focused on sexuality and emergency contraceptive practice among female undergraduates, was conducted by six researchers at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja.
It was published in the Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology on June 30.
“This study was designed to explore the sexuality, perception, attitude towards and utilisation of emergency contraceptives among female undergraduate students in Lagos State University,” study lead, Oshodi Yusuf Abisowo, said.
The researchers collected data through a structured self-administered questionnaire by obtaining information on demography, sexual and contraceptive history, perception, attitude towards and use of emergency contraceptives.
The researchers found that, “Of the 725 (90 percent) that completed the questionnaires, 334 (46 percent) of the respondents were sexually active, with 115 (34 percent) having previous history of pregnancy.
“Eighty-two percent of those pregnancies were unintended, while 88 percent of those with unintended pregnancy had them terminated by induced abortions.
“Fifty-four percent of the abortions was carried out by untrained persons; and only 29 percent of those who had unprotected sexual intercourse used emergency contraceptives.”
The researchers say ignorance and promotion of sexual promiscuity were identified as the main reasons for not using emergency contraceptives.
“Previous use of contraceptives, married status, increasing age and year of study were positive predictors for the use of emergency contraceptives; while poor knowledge was a significant predictor of non-use,” research findings state.
The researchers suggested solutions to issues of contraception among undergraduates.
“Information on contraceptives should be introduced in secondary schools and in general studies courses in tertiary institutions, while parents and caregivers should discuss issues relating to sex and contraceptives with adolescents,” they said.
The researchers concluded that the awareness of emergency contraceptive is low, while its use is even far lower, yet high rate of sexual activities and unwanted pregnancies had been reported.
“It is strongly recommended that information about contraceptives should be introduced in schools, as early as secondary schools and also in general studies courses in tertiary institutions.
“Parents and caregivers should be bold and confident enough to discuss issues relating to sex, contraceptives, sexually transmitted infections and family planning with the adolescents, instead of allowing them to source for information from the internet or from peer groups who may not be knowledgeable enough on such matters.
“Stakeholders should ensure provision of youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services designed to respond to and meet the health needs of these apparently sexually active young people as reflected in Nigeria’s policy on population for development.
“It is expected that this will contribute to meeting a target of the Sustainable Development Goal 3 which aims at ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services, information, education, including family planning,” the researchers noted.
SOURCE:
34% of LASU undergraduates have had previous pregnancy —Study
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