High school students' knowledge, attitude and practice of contraception in Harer town, eastern Ethiopia

A survey of knowledge, attitude and practice of contraception was carried out among 1,674 students (mean age 17.4 years) in Harer town, eastern Ethiopia. Fifty-four per cent of the students spontaneously mentioned a modern contraceptive method when asked, but large numbers of students did not know the answers to specific questions about prevention of pregnancy. The students were receptive to more information in schools on sexuality and contraception. Overall, 20% of females and 65% of males admitted to having had sexual intercourse at least once. Among sexually active females, 60% said they were using a contraceptive method. However, 76% of these were using only the calendar method. Twenty per cent of the sexually experienced female students had been pregnant, and of these 56% had elected for induced abortions. If only unmarried students are considered, 75% of those who had been pregnant had had an induced abortion. Since induced abortions are not legal in Ethiopia, these students are at high risk for complications of abortions.