Determinant of emergency contraceptive practice among female university students in Ethiopia: systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Introduction Despite Ethiopia’s government’s commitment to alleviating unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortion by increasing holistic reproductive health service accessibility, the rate of unwanted pregnancy among female students in the universities is distressing and becoming a multisectoral concern. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to assess the prevalence and determinant of emergency contraceptive practice among female university students in Ethiopia. Result The overall pooled prevalence of emergency contraceptive practice among female university students in Ethiopia was 34.5% [95% CI [20.8, 48.2%]. The pooled odds ratio showed that positive association between practice of emergency contraceptives with age of the students [OR, 0.19; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.98, P = 0.05] Previous contraceptive methods use [OR, 0.22; 95% CI: 0.12, 0.40, P = 0.0001], Marital status [OR, 0.09; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.40, P < 0.002] and knowledge [OR, 0.12; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.37, P < 0.0003]. Conclusion The practice of emergency contraceptives among university female students was 34.5% and explained by knowledge, age, previous use of contraceptive methods and marital status.

Sexual and reproductive health experiences, access to services, and sources of information among university students in Ethiopia

“…Nearly one-third of students in our study (29%) reported being sexually active, and contraceptive users overwhelmingly used shortacting methods, including emergency contraception, condoms, and oral contraceptive pills, likely due to limited choice of contraceptive methods on campuses. These findings are similar to prior research in Ethiopia; a study among female students at Wolaita Sodo University found that 24% were sexually active (34), while a meta-analysis of studies on emergency contraceptive use among female university students in Ethiopia identified a pooled prevalence of 34.5% (35). Approximately one-fifth of respondents in our study reported ever experiencing an unwanted pregnancy, and 14% reported having had an abortion.…”

Emergency Contraceptive Pill Use and its Impact on Condom Utilization Among University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…13 It is consistent with results from a South African 11 Rate of sexually active women, accessibility of information on contraception, sexual and reproductive health education, socio-cultural differences and level of urbanizations of the study areas might be accountable for the discrepancy. 10,15,22 According to this study, ECP was utilized by the majority (61.8%) of female undergraduates who had history of sexual intercourse. This figure is higher than previous reports from different universities of African countries such as South Africa (21.2%), Kenya (20%), Nigeria (15.2%) and Rwanda (5%).…”

“… 11 Rate of sexually active women, accessibility of information on contraception, sexual and reproductive health education, socio-cultural differences and level of urbanizations of the study areas might be accountable for the discrepancy. 10 , 15 , 22 …”

“…14 Also, the rate of ECP use among female university students ranges from 4.9–78.1% with a pooled prevalence of 34.5%, according to a recent systematic review conducted in the country. 15 …”

“…14 Also, the rate of ECP use among female university students ranges from 4.9-78.1% with a pooled prevalence of 34.5%, according to a recent systematic review conducted in the country. 15 Hormonal contraceptives including ECP are very effective in preventing unintended pregnancy but not human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). 9,16 Apart from abstinence, condom is the only method which gives protection against HIV and other STIs.…”