Abstract:
Emergency contraception (EC) is a contraception administered after unprotected intercourse to prevent
pregnancy. There are two methods of emergency contraception: hormonal and intrauterine contraceptive
device. Objections to the use of emergency contraception include concerns that they may promote
promiscuity and increase sexually transmitted diseases. Some studies have shown that, knowledge in
relation to emergency contraception is limited among the women in Ethiopia and the practice is almost
negligible. Improved knowledge about emergency contraception may decrease the unplanned pregnancy
rate, unsafe abortion and save many lives. The objectives of this study were to assess the knowledge,
attitude and practice of emergency contraception among female students in W/ro. Kelemework
Tiruneh secondary school. A cross sectional survey was conducted from October 30 ,2014 to February
2014 on 180 female students in W/ro. Kelemework Tiruneh secondary school. Data was collected by face
to face interview using a structured interview guide. The completed data were entered in to Microsoft excel
manually and Descriptive statistics were used for analysis of questionnaires’ variables using statistical
parameters in Microsoft excel to determine frequencies, percentages, and data was presented in table
format. A total of 180 female students within the age range of 16-23 were involved in this study out of
which only 58% of them heard about EC.As the respondents mentioned that the time frame in which EC
must be taken was: 24% of them responded immediately after sex, 41.5% of them reported that within 24
hours after intercourse, 17% of responded that within 72 hours after intercourse & 5% of them responded
that 5 days after intercourse; indicating the presence of female students who did not know the correct time
frame when to be used. From the total of 40 respondents those who used EC and faced side effects were:
23% of them faced irregular vaginal bleeding, 35% of them faced nausea and vomiting, 13% of them faced
breast tenderness and 15% of them free from any side effects. The study found that 80% of the respondents
who faced unwanted pregnancy performed induced abortion. In general there are still students who have
very low awareness, so that have low attitude and practice about EC among female students and as the
findings showed that there is a significant side effects of taking EC, although the role of EC to prevent
unintended pregnancy is more advanced. Therefore, any stakeholders in the school or anywhere should
strengthen their intervention in advocating safe sexual behavior.
Key words: Emergency, contraceptives, Female, students, W/ro.Kelemework Tiruneh
secondary school, unintended pregnancy.
