Title: Effect of Age and Occupation on Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Contraception Among Young Women in Imo State Nigeria
Authors: Odor, Ann Chinyere and Ozims, S. J
Volume: 8
Issue: 8
Pages: 8-18
Publication Date: 2024/08/28
Abstract:
Over years, various methods of contraception have been in used for prevention of unwanted pregnancy which is one of the major challenges facing developing countries such as Nigeria. The high rate of unwanted pregnancy might be associated with poor knowledge, poor attitude and poor practice of contraception. Therefore, this study was conducted, which was focused on evaluating the knowledge, attitude and practice of various methods of contraception. Descriptive survey was adopted for this study, in which numerical data was collected as response from structured questionnaire administered by objective sampling technique to young mothers aged 18 to 42years in Imo state, covering the three senatorial zones. The data was frequencies of the respondents that gave similar response on a particular question. A total of 303 questionnaires were administered, while total of 287 were realized with response. Also, 287 (100%) of the respondents have knowledge, 211 (73.5%) showed willingness while 195 (67.9%) have practiced at least one of the given methods of contraception while 27 (9.4%) did not give response. The criteria for grading the responses for this study were < 50% (poor); 50 - 70% (good) and > 70% (very good). Based on these criteria, the respondents displayed poor knowledge (34.8%), poor attitude (33.1%) and poor practice (28.9%) of combined oral contraceptives. They showed very good knowledge (80.1%); very good attitude (76.7%) and good practice (56.1%) of progestogen only pills. For bilateral tubal ligation, the respondents showed poor knowledge (26.5%), poor attitude (24.0%) and poor practice (17.8%). For breastfeeding, they respondents displayed good knowledge (56.2%), good attitude (57.8%) and good practice (50.2%). For Injectables, they had good knowledge (63.1%), good attitude (62.4%) and good practice (57.5%). The response on implant was poor knowledge (24.7%), poor attitude (24.4) and poor practice (23.0%). The response on withdrawal was good knowledge (60.3%), good attitude (58.2%) and good practice (54.0%). The responses on barrier were very good knowledge (100%), good attitude (65.2%) and good practice (56.45). Finally, the response on IUCD was good knowledge (56.8%), good attitude (53.7%) and poor practice (47.4%). The data was further analyzed using Chi test to determine the association between the demographic characteristics and knowledge, attitude and practice. The result of Chi test showed no association between knowledge of contraception and the demographic characteristics (age and occupation) of the respondents (p = 1). Similar finding was evident between attitude and the demographic characteristics. However, there was obvious association between practice and demographic characteristics.