Emergency contraceptives, knowledge, Attitude and practice at the Kenya Medical Training Centre, Kenyatta

Abstract

Background: Use of regular family planning is high in Kenya (33%) as compared to other African countries. Despite this, Kenya still has a high fertility rate (total fertility rate 4.85 per 1000 population), which as a consequence has a high number of unwanted pregnancies. Young people engage in unplanned sexual practices, which may lead to unintended pregnancies, and many perform abortions in unsafe conditions, which lead to mortality and morbidity. It has been shown that the use Emergency contraceptives can reduce number of unwanted pregnancies and consequently reduce maternal morbidity and mortality related to pregnancy and unsafe abortions. There is a need for the providers to be to have KAP on EC in order to provide its widespread usage. Objective: The main objective of the study was to assess the Knowledge, Attitude and practice of emergency contraceptive use among female students of Medical Training Center, KNH. Study design: The study design was a cross-sectional survey m form of a self¬administered questionnaire in three days. Study population: These were female students from KMTC, KNH. A total of 335 female students responded. Method: Three days in a week were consecutively selected to administer questionnaires each day for each year of study. The students who were in the rooms during that evening of study were requested to complete a semi-structured questionnaire. Data analysis: The open-ended questions were coded and data entered into a computer using excel. The data was summarized appropriately using means and proportions.Data analysis was done using STAT A computer package. Appropriate tests of significance (chi-square and P-value at 0.05 significance level) were used