Emergency contraception: knowledge and practice of Gondar University students, northwest Ethiopia

To assess the knowledge and practice of Gondar University students regarding emergency contraceplion.

A university based cross-sectional study was conducted in the University of Gondar in May 2004. All undergraduate students of the university were included in the study. A self-administered anonymous questionnaire was used for data collection.

A total of 2323 students (1764 males & 559 females) responded to the questionnaire. Five hundred fifty eight students (24.0%) thought that there are methods that can be used to prevent pregnancy when a woman had unprotected sex. Overall, 437 students (18.8%) knew the correct methods of emergency contraception (pill or IUCD). Of those who mentioned pill as the only method of emergency contraception, 285 (73.3%) said the pill should be used within 72 hours after unprotected sex. Only one student used pill as emergency contraceptive. Students in the health field have 6.8 times higher knowledge on emergency contraception compared to students of FBE. Generally, there was an increasing trend in the knowledge of students when their age and year of study increases. Married or divorced students had 3.36 times higher knowledge when compared with never married students.

In general, except students in the health field, other students have low awareness about emergency contraception. Emergency contraceptive user rate is very low. Even in those who are aware of emergency contraception, the information they have regarding the methods that can be used and the timing of emergency contraception was not sufficient. Students should be provided with appropriate information regarding emergency contraception and access to emergency contraception should be improved in the university.