Knowledge, attitude and acceptability of spermicidal contraception among university students in Dar es Salaam

The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, acceptability and attitude towards the use of spermicides among students of University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM).

This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted over four-month period among UDSM students. A random sample of students was recruited from all three university campus namely University College of Land and Architectural Studies (UCLAS), Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences (MUCHS) and Mlimani Campus (MC). Questionnaires with both closed and open end-questions were used for data collection in which knowledge, attitude, and acceptability of spermicides were determined. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS/PC+ version 10.0, 1999 computer package.

A total of 300 students participated in this study, out of which 154 (513%) were females and 146 (48.7%) males. Majority of the students 276 (92%) had poor knowledge of spermicidal products, and out of these, 146 (53%) were absolutely unable to describe the use of spermicides. Ninety-three percent of the students had never used spermicides. Of those who had never used spermicides, 84 (30%) said because they used other contraceptive means, 50 (17.8%) said they are expensive, 29 (10.3%) attributed this to unavailability of the products, 3 (1.1%) to fear of "contracting" cancer and 13(4.6%) to the unreliability. Furthermore, a few who had used them didn't trust the products as ideal means of contraception.

The respondents had poor knowledge of spermicides. Spermicides were not accepted by the students because of the presumed side-effects, being very expensive and unreliable for contraception purpose. However, the respondents accepted spermicides usage as an ideal alternative to condom and effective means for a female-controlled method to prevent/reduce unwanted pregnancy and HIV risk. The study recommends that the Government/responsible authorities should encourage spermicides usage, particularly when coupled with microbicides, in reduction of unplanned pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV infection inclusive.