Journal des pratiques avancées en soins infirmiers

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practices on Use of Emergency Contraception among Women Seeking Post Abortion Care in Mbarara District

Abstract

Mugumya Cleophus*, Tumwebaze Mathias, Atukunda Gershom, Otiam Emmanuel Otala, Ninyikiriza Jackline and Kafuko Joshua

Background: Unplanned and unwanted pregnancies carry a higher risk of morbidity and mortality, often due to unsafe abortion. Many of these unplanned pregnancies can be avoided using emergency contraception. Literature reveals that there is existence of knowledge, attitude and practice gaps on emergency contraception in the world including Uganda. Therefore the objective of this study was to assess knowledge, attitude and practices of women seeking post abortion care on use of emergency contraception.

Method: A cross sectional study was conducted among 235 women seeking post abortion care in 6 health units in Mbarara district. Women seeking post abortion care were purposively selected participants. Questionnaires were used to collect the data. Data processing and analysing was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.

Results: Less the half of the respondents 94 (40%) were knowledgeable of emergency contraception and age and marital status were significantly influencing knowledge (or 1.43 C.I 0.589 3.491) and (1.10; C.I 0.365 3.322) respectively. The majority 174 (74.0%) had positive attitude toward emergency contraceptives knowledgeable of emergency contraception significantly influenced this [OR=2.48, 95% CI (1.340, 4.570)]. Only 20 (8.5%) had ever used ECs. It was found out that knowledgeable women were 3.1 times more likely to use emergency contraceptives than their counterparts with low knowledge about emergency contraception.

Conclusion: The study indicated low level of knowledge; very low level of practice and majority showed positive attitude towards emergency contraceptives.