Sexual behaviour, contraceptive knowledge and use among female undergraduates’ students of Muhimbili and Dar es Salaam Universities, Tanzania: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundThe rate of premarital sexual activity, unwanted pregnancies and illegal abortions remain higher among university students. This calls for understanding the knowledge on contraceptive use and sexual behaviours among this high risk group if the incidence of unintended pregnancy, illegal abortions and high sexual risky behaviour are to be minimized. This study aimed to assess ssexual behaviour, contraceptive knowledge and use among female undergraduates’ students of Muhimbili and Dar es Salaam Universities in Tanzania.MethodsA cross-sectional analytic study was conducted among undergraduate female students in the two Universities located in Dar es Salaam region, Tanzania. The study period was from June 2013 to October 2013. A self-administered questionnaire was given to 281 students. Of these, 253 were retrieved, giving a response rate of 90%. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) for Windows version 17.0. Descriptive statistics were summarized. The chi square test was used to examine relationship between various sociodemographic and sexual behaviours variables with contraceptive use. A P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsResults showed that majority (70.4%) of the students have had sexual intercourse. All participants had knowledge of contraception. More than half, 148 (58.5%) of sexually active women reported ever used contraception before while 105 (41.5%) were current contraceptive users. Majority (74.7%) of the sexually active group started sexual activity at young age (19–24 years). Condom, 221(24.3%) and pills, 153 (16.8%) were the known contraceptive methods. The most popular method of contraception used were condoms, withdrawal and periodic abstinence. The main sources of information about contraception were from friends, radio and school (39.5%, 36% and 24%) respectively. Forty (15.8%) women had pregnancies. Of these, 11 (27%) have had unwanted pregnancies among which 54.6% have had induced abortion. Marital status, age at first sex, ever had sex, ever been pregnant and unwanted pregnancies were associated with use of contraception.ConclusionsMost of the student’s had knowledge of contraception. However, rate of contraception use is still low. Majority of the respondent were sexually active, with the majority started sexual activity at young age. This needs advocacy for adolescence reproductive health education to promote the use of the available contraceptive services amongst university students.

Sexual Behaviour, Knowledge and Use of Contraceptives Among Undergraduate Students

“…It has been found that most of the students have knowledge of contraception, but the rate of contraception use is still low 17 . Yet, it is suggested that the depth of the knowledge may be poor or just fair 22 , and probably dependent on parental socioeconomic status 55 .…”

“…For instance, beside romance, modes of dressing, personal interactions between individuals and use of body perfumes may be deliberate to seduce a person of interest. In this context, sexual activity or behavior is appreciated to possess cognitive, emotional, and health aspect 17 . Of particular importance in this narrative is the health aspect, which can be delineated dichotomously as either healthy or risky sexual behavior 18.19 .…”

Prevention of unintended pregnancies in Nigeria; the effect of socio-demographic characteristic on the knowledge and use of emergency contraceptives among female university students

“…[15][16][17] Studies conducted among general university students' population in Nigeria also showed higher rates of sexual activity. 18 The proportion is however higher than those conducted among female secondary school students.…”

“…[5][6][7] Women seeking abortion as a result of unwanted pregnancy in southwest Nigeria are mostly aged between 15 and 24 years, unmarried and predominantly students of higher institution. 8 In Nigeria emergency contraceptives are available as combined oral contraceptive pills, progestin only oral contraceptives (E-pills) and Copper T Intra Uterine Devices (IUDs).…”

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Towards Reproductive Health Service among Mizan Tepi Universtiy Tepi Campus Students, Sheka Zone, South Nations Nationalities and Peoples Regional State, South West Ethiopia, 2017

“…The data was collected through structured self-administered questionnaires with close ended questions. Fourth year midwifery Students were the data collector who were principal investigators they were responsible to lead the whole situation of the data collection process to check the data consistency, completeness and editing, Discussion was done by all data collectors [14].…”