Contraceptive Use Among Female Students of University of Uyo, Uyo
CHAPTER ONE
Objective of the Study
The objective of the study was to investigate the use of contraceptives among the female students of University of Uyo, Uyo. To identify common contraception and constraints to the use of contraception among the students.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
The review of related literature was discussed under the following headings:
- Theoretical Framework to the Study
- Trends in Adolescents Sexuality
- Adolescents Contraception
- Methods of Contraceptive
- Attitude and Behaviour of Adolescents toward Contraception.
- Summary
Theoretical Framework to the Study
Historically, there had been two separate explanations for understanding human sexuality in general and adolescent behavior in particular. And the study hinges on these explanations, one paradigm represented by the work of Sigmud Freud (1933). This explains sexual behavior as largely attributable to the unfolding biological urges that begin pressing mostly urgently for genital expression during adolescence.
In contrast with such biological and inner driven views, a second paradigm represented by the work of John Locke (1932) says that this theory is based on the premise that behavior of persons are shaped strongly by their social environment, he believed that it would be accurate to view a child’s mind as a tabula rasa or clean slate whatever goes into the mind will come from the surrounding environment. He said environment, culture and social settings play a major role in perceptions, attitudes and behavior of sexuality.
According to this view, cultural elements constraints the age, gender, legal and kin relationship between sexual actors, as well as setting limits on the site of behavior and the connection of sexual organs (Gagnon and Simon, 1973). Recent views combined elements of both biological and social explanations in understanding the timing and variations of adolescents sexual behavior (Smith, 1889).
CHAPTER THREE
METHOD OF THE STUDY
This chapter presents the method and procedures used for the study. It is presented under the following sub-headings:
- Research Design
- Population of the Study
- Sample and Sampling Technique
- Research Instrument
- Validity and Reliability of the Instrument
- Administration of Research Instrument
- Method of Data Analysis
Research Design
The descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. This method was used because it permitted detailed study on contraceptive use among female students of University of Uyo, Uyo. And it also gives information on the current status of the phenomenon about the use of contraceptive among the population.
Population of Study
The population of the study consists of female undergraduates of the University of Uyo in Ugbowo Campus on full-time programme during the 2011/2012 academic session.
Sample and Sampling Technique
The sample adopted for the study was female undergraduates residing in the halls of residence of the University of Uyo, Ugbowo Campus. The halls of residence include Hall 1, Hall 2, Hall 5, and Female Medical hostel. The population of female students of halls was 4,184 students as at when the study was conducted.
The simple random sampling technique was used to select 209 students from the halls representing 5% of the student’s population.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF DATA
This chapter presents the analysis and discussion of the study. The study was to assess contraceptive use among female students of University of Uyo. The study is presented in accordance with the research questions raised in chapter one.
Research Question One
What proportion of female students of University of Uyo use contraceptives?
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
This chapter is concerned with the summary, findings, conclusions and recommendations of the study.
Summary
The purpose of the study was to investigate the use of contraceptives among the female students of University of Uyo, Uyo. Three research questions were raised for the study of 4,184 of female students residing in the Halls of Residence, Ugbowo Campus. A 20-item self developed questionnaire was used as the main instrument for collecting data for the study and data generated were converted to frequency counts and percentage for analysis.
Findings
The followings are the main findings of the study:
- Contraceptive use among female student of University of Uyo was 36.8 percent which is relatively low.
- The most commonly used method among the population is condom which constitutes 12.0 percent of the total methods used among the population.
- The major factors contributing to the low rate of contraceptive use among the population is misconception about contraceptive been prerogative of women and promiscuous girls.
Therefore, inadequate health information and health education on contraception is a barrier to the use of contraceptive.
Conclusion
In view of the findings to the study, a low rate of 36.8 percent of female students of University of Uyo, uses contraceptive and it is observed that the constraints to the use of contraceptives among the sample respondents is misconceptions towards contraceptives which includes; contraceptives are dangerous, they are for married women and promiscuous girls.
Furthermore, inappropriate or inadequate health information and education is a barrier to the use of contraceptive.
Recommendations
In the view of the findings to the study, the following recommendations are made:
- The findings show that contraceptive use among the population sample is generally low. Thus, the issues of unwanted pregnancy, unsafe abortion and contraceptive use should be a major part of the educational programme designed for students.
- There should be a school based multi-component programmes that encompasses educational and psychological interventions with contraceptive provisions.
- Health educators and other health care providers should provide appropriate health information and education on contraception. Thus, discussions regarding methods of contraceptive must be acknowledged.
- Accurate health information and strategies should be available to reduce the impact of misconception provided by families and peers on risks associated with contraceptive and that contraceptive is prerogative of married women and promiscuous girls.
- Students should also know that contraceptive can yield both positive and negative results necessitated by whatever purpose or objective of such contraceptive to the individual. Hence, health care providers should dedicate themselves to the goal that a woman does have the right to control her own fertility and that she needs access to information, services and psychological support of her decisions.
Buttressing this view, contraceptive use must be adopted through a positive method with specified choice. A method that is not safe for the user can create unfortunate medical consequences
REFERENCES
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