Knowledge, attitude, and practices of the youth on emergency contraceptive pills at selected family planning clinics in Lilongwe
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Date
2019-05-01
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Abstract
There is evidence that emergency contraceptive pills (ECP) reduce unintended pregnancies. However, literature shows that 31% of pregnancies among the youth are unintended and that most of them end up in unsafe abortions. The purpose of this study was to determine knowledge, attitudes and practices of family planning clients aged between 15 and 24 years on ECPs. The study specifically explored knowledge and described attitudes practices of the youth clients on ECPs. The study was conducted at two health facilities in Lilongwe using a cross-sectional sign and 262 clients were sampled. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire through face-to-face interviews. The collected data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square
tests at 5% level of significance to establish relationships between demographic variables and knowledge, attitudes and practices of emergency contraceptive pills. Results showed that knowledge of what ECPs are; indications for using ECPs and when to use ECPs, were significantly positively associated with higher education (p=0.015;p=0.002; p=0.002), respectively. Also, affordability and ever bought ECPs were also positively associated with higher education (p=<0.001; p=0.015), respectively. Positive attitude towards use of ECPs was significantly in rural areas and older age (p=0.047; p=0.049), respectively. The results
showed that the majority (84.5%, n=221) lacked knowledge of ECPs. However, most of them (91.5%, n= 240) had a positive attitude towards ECPs even though only 0.4% (n=1) had ever used ECPs and that the majority (93.1%, n=244) did not know anyone who had ever used ECPs. The study has demonstrated that for the youth to use ECPs, they need clear and adequate information. Therefore, there is need to promote health education to the youth on ECPs to improve their knowledge.