Contraceptive Knowledge and Perceptions about Unprotected Sex among Undergraduate Pharmacy Students in Nigeria

Arinola Eniola Joda; Godwin P. Ekpe; Abdulmumini Isah; Obo Okokon Ita; Comfort Nambam Sariem; Rasaq Adisa; Hadiza Usman Ma'aji; Garba Sadiq Uthman; Olubukola Olusola Oyetunde

doi:10.37962/jpps.v10i3.646

Arinola Eniola Joda Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos, Idiaraba Campus, Idiaraba, Lagos, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6991-763X
Godwin P. Ekpe Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6965-7885
Abdulmumini Isah Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Management, Faculty of Pharmaceutical sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1349-6434
Obo Okokon Ita Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Calabar, Cross River State https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3516-4307
Comfort Nambam Sariem Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical sciences, University of Jos, Plateau State https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4915-7936
Rasaq Adisa Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Administration, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, Oyo State https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0213-2723
Hadiza Usman Ma'aji Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5670-4811
Garba Sadiq Uthman Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Faculty of Pharmaceutical sciences, University of Maiduguri, Borno State https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4303-6105
Olubukola Olusola Oyetunde Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos, Idiaraba Campus, Idiaraba, Lagos, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5950-6581

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37962/jpps.v10i3.646

Keywords: Contraception, Undergraduate students, Knowledge, Pharmacy, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Adolescents have been affected by poor contraceptive information and their sexual behaviour is often cited as a source of public health concern.

Objective: Our study assesses undergraduate pharmacy students’ contraceptive knowledge and perceptions of unprotected sex across the geopolitical zones of Nigeria.

Methods: The study design was cross-sectional and analytic. Data was collected via an online Google form® after ethical approval was obtained. Descriptive and inferential analyses were undertaken using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 20.0 to compare continuous variables. For all analyses, p values less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Results: About 1089 students consented to the study and a third were in final year (33.6%). About 86% of the participants could correctly define contraception, with all schools having about 80% of their students in the correct knowledge category (p < 0.001). The main reason for engaging in unprotected sex was that condoms are not comfortable (59%).

Conclusion: Most of the students have good knowledge of contraception but practice is suboptimal which may expose them to untoward effects including infections and unwanted pregnancies. An urgent need for advocacy and public health promotional activities on contraception and the subsequent danger of inaccurate use exists.

Author Biography

Hadiza Usman Ma'aji, Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State

Senior Lecturer, Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State