Assessment of the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Emergency Contraception among Women of Reproductive Age Visiting Kampala International University Teaching Hospital

                                                              Mwesigwa Gloria         

Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Kampala International University Western Campus Ishaka, Uganda

ABSTRACT

The study aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of emergency contraception among women of reproductive age visiting Kampala International University Teaching Hospital. The research was conducted using a quantitative cross-sectional study approach, with participants aged 15-49 from Ishaka, Bushenyi District.  Data collection involved an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The data collected was statistically analyzed using Microsoft Excel and Word version 2019, and SPSS v.16. The results showed that women with poor knowledge may be less likely to use emergency contraception (EC) compared to knowledgeable ones. The awareness of EC among female students was 65.9%. 46.2% had fair knowledge and 21.8% had adequate knowledge. However, those with poor knowledge contributed 31%, indicating the need for more health education about EC. In conclusion, the study highlights the importance of increasing awareness and providing adequate health education to women of reproductive age visiting Kampala International University Teaching Hospital. The majority of students (87.3%) stated that it was safe to use ECs, and only 12.7% thought of using EC as unsafe. Also, majority (66.5%) of respondents thought EC would increase spread of HIV and STI, only 33.5% disagreed. Again (85.1%) will use use EC the side effects notwithstanding. The utilization of EC among sexually active students was relatively low (8.9%). The study also found that the majority of students would use EC if need arose, and the preferred method was OCPs. The study recommended more effort in educating students about emergency contraception and intrauterine devices (IUD)

Keywords: Contraception, Reproductive age, Hospital, Awareness, Knowledge

CITE AS: Mwesigwa Gloria (2024). Assessment of the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Emergency Contraception among Women of Reproductive Age Visiting Kampala International University Teaching Hospital. RESEARCH INVENTION JOURNAL OF CURRENT ISSUES IN ARTS AND MANAGEMENT 3(3):20-28.