CONTRACEPTIVE USE AMONG FEMALE STUDENTS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The introduction to sexual activities during adolescent stage of development, according to Skolnik (2012), is an experience common to all youths. Frost, Henshaw and Sonfields (2010) attributed the rise in sexual activities to early maturation, social civilization and greater awareness of sexuality among the youths. Further, World Health Organization (WHO, 2012) reported that the assault on sexual morality starts in life with availability of television, books, magazines, movies and music that feature sex and the use of contraceptives. Low rate of contraceptive use among female youths had resulted in about two million adolescent girls in developing countries undergoing unsafe abortion each year (Schneider, 2011).

In Nigeria, the rate of contraceptive use among female youths is low (Okonofua, 2010). Arowojolu and Adekunle (2004) reported that in Western and Southern Nigeria, the rate of contraceptive use by sexually active females still remained at 30 per cent.     This was considerably lower than the 80 per cent contraceptive use rate reported for youths in developed countries (Okpani & Okpani, 2002). More than 610,000 Nigerian women obtained abortion each year, and about oneIthird of them remained students in tertiary institutions (Odebede, 2004), Falola (2005) reported of a baby being abandoned in female hostel in Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Niger State, Nigeria. Given the ills associated with unprotected sex, one would conclude that young women, including female students in Nigerian Universities would make effective use of contraceptive measures to protect themselves against the hazard of sexual intercourse.

At all levels, Nigerian government established family planning units in hospitals, and universities, trained workers and provided the required facilities and equipment to ensure effective provision of contraceptive services to women. Despite the effort by government, young women including female students in SouthISouth Nigerian Universities may tend to have poor contraceptive use behaviours. Their behaviours toward contraceptive use are seemingly influenced by certain factors such as age, residential location, year of study in the university, and pattern of drug use and the likes. To ascertain the influence of these factors, empirical evidence was required.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Proliferation of the use of various types of contraceptives particularly among the young female has been observed,[6,7,8] even when the effectiveness, safety, side effects, contraindications and availability of these methods vary.With such an array of methods to influence the choice of the medical experts, special precaution should be taken with respect to patient suitability and adverse effects of each method. It is therefore the responsibility of health professionals to ascertain that each person who obtains a family planning method has sufficient information on the proposed method and that this person is competent to make a choice. The choice of contraceptive method is often individualized based on a patient’s age, profile or need. Thus an opportunity should be given to individuals or couples to make their choices.A perfect contraceptive would be 100% effective, totally safe, available to everyone, completely without side effects, instantly reversible and easy to use. It would not interfere with intercourse in any way and would require no advice or care from the clinician. However, the choice in recent years have been affected particularly by the emergence of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and a consequent increase in the awareness of the need for the protection from sexual transmitted infections (STIs).Therefore, effective and innovative programs that can provide youth with sound sexual health information and services are needed. Upon this background this study seeks to examine contraceptive use among female students in University of Uyo.

1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The broad objective of this study is to examine contraceptive use among female students in University of Uyo. Other specific objectives of the study includes:

i.          To assess the attitudes of female student toward use of contraceptives among in University of Uyo.

ii.        To determine the pattern or prevalence  use of contraceptives among female student in University of Uyo.

iii.      To investigate purpose of contraceptives usage among female student in University of Uyo.

iv.      To identify barriers that militate against correct and consistent use of contraceptives among female student in University of Uyo.

1.4       RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The research is guided by the following research questions:

i.          What is the attitudes of female student toward use of contraceptives among in University of Uyo?

ii.        What is the pattern or prevalence  use of contraceptives among female student in University of Uyo?

iii.      What is the purpose of contraceptives usage among female student in University of Uyo?

iv.      What are the barriers that militate against correct and consistent use of contraceptives among female student in University of Uyo?

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

It is hoped that the findings of this study will provide necessary information that will enhance activities and programs towards the against correct and consistent use of contraceptives. Furthermore, the findings will also be relevant to those who intend to carry out a similar research topic as it has contributed to the existing literature. Finally, the research will serve as a fuel of new reasoning and further research work on knowledge, attitude and practices of women towards family planning services, and to health science students, lecturers and the general public.

1.6       Scope of the study

The scope of this study borders on contraceptive use among female students in University of Uyo.The study will further discuss attitude, pattern, purpose and factors militating against the correct use of contraceptives.

1.7 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

Like in every human endeavour, the researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. The significant constraint was the scanty literature on the subject owing that it is a new discourse thus the researcher incurred more financial expenses and much time was required in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection, which is why the researcher resorted to a limited choice of sample size covering only female students in University of U Thus findings of this study cannot be used for generalization for universities in other  States within Nigeria. Additionally, the researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work will impede maximum devotion to the research. Howbeit, despite the constraint  encountered during the  research, all factors were downplayed in other to give the best and make the research successful.