CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background to the Study
The practice of contraception is old
as human existence. Ancient writings
noted on the Leahun Papyrus (1800 BCE) that the old Egyptians practice
contraception by using a vaginal pessary of crocodile dung and fermented dough
which may create an hostile environment for sperm.
During the early second century in
Rome, Sorunus of Ephesus created a highly acidic concoction of fruits, nuts and
wool that was placed at the cervical OS to create a spermicidal
barrier (Wikipedia.com, 2010).
Over the years, issues related to
sexuality and contraception, have been taken with great reservation by
Nigerians, as a result of increase in sexual expressions and experimentation
among adolescents. Studies conducted
among female students in Nigeria indicate an overall awareness rate of
70.9%. Among sexually exposed students,
there was contraceptive usage rate of 40.1% and an unwanted pregnancy rate of
30.5% (Adinma and Okeke, 1995).
Most adolescents who are sexually
active and do not use contraceptive face the increasing risks of unwanted
pregnancies and unsafe abortions.
Induced abortion currently accounts for 20,000 of the estimated 50,000
of maternal death occur in Nigeria each year (Akingba, 1977; Okonfua and
Liumok, 1992).
Many unwanted pregnancies by
adolescents arise out of ignorance, because they receive inadequate education
on sexual and reproductive health, and the source of information available on
contraception are often dubious, unreliable and misleading because the
information is less motivated by healthcare providers than their peers. The 1990 Demographic and Health Survey
indicated that only 11% of sexually active women age 15 – 19 ever used any
modern contraceptive methods.
The utilization of modern methods of
contraceptive has always been shown to be poor among Nigerian adolescents. Studies from Western and Southern Nigeria
have found the rates of contraceptive use among sexually active adolescents to
be about 30% (Arowoju, Adekunle, Okpani and Okpani, 2000).
Although, societal and cultural
inhabitation has been a great influence on the use of contraceptive, among
adolescents because the use of contraceptive had been the prerogative of
married women and adults in most African societies.
Fueye, Castle and Konate (2001)
indicated that previously in many African societies, sexual information among
adolescents is seen as sexual taboo. In
general, the voluntary control of fertility is a paramount importance to a
reproductive health of a woman, which can be essential to her ability to achieve
her sense of well-being. The use of
contraceptive to prevent unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortion is especially
important (Nuleo and Pool, 1997; Adedoyin and Adejoke, 1995; and Oladepo and
Brieger, 1994).
Furthermore, contraceptive use among
sexually active adolescents would be very important, since it saves them for
high risk of unwanted pregnancies, embarrassment and disgrace. Although, they are some constraints that may
affect the use of contraceptives. It is
this premise that this present study seeks to examine the level of acceptance
of contraceptive use among female students of University of Benin, Benin City.
Statement of the Problem
The promotion of effective
contraceptive use among female students of University of Benin is very important,
if their reproductive health is to be improved, because many female students
are oblivious of the adverse health consequences of ineffective contraceptives.
It should be noted that despite the
wide knowledge and campaign about the use of some contraceptives such as
condom, most female students still distaste such use, therefore, exposing
themselves to unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions.
Research Questions
The study will therefore provide
answer to the following questions:
1.
What proportion of female University of Benin
Students use contraceptives?
2.
What are the commonly methods of contraceptives
used among female students of University of Benin?
3.
What are the constraints to the use of
contraceptives among female students of University of Benin?
Purpose of the Study
The purpose of the study was to
investigate the use of contraceptives among the female students of University
of Benin, Benin City. To identify common contraception and constraints to the
use of contraception among the students.
Significance of Study
Over the years, the rate of
contraceptive use among adolescents is low, because contraceptive use has been
the prerogative of married women, therefore, leaving the youngsters to face the
high risks of unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions.
The study will help the curriculum
planners to know the level of knowledge of contraception among adolescents,
thus, the issues on pregnancy, contraceptive use should be a major part of
educational programmes designed for students.
Discussions regarding methods of contraceptive must be acknowledged and
accurate information should be available to match the methods with specified
choice.
This study will also help students to
understand the benefits and limitations of the various contraceptive methods and
to also know that efficacy of any contraceptive method can be impaired if they
have access to health care professionals who will give them appropriate
education on contraception.
Delimitations
This study was carried out among
female students residing in the halls of residence in Ugbowo Campus of the
University of Benin, Benin City.
Limitations
The major limitation to the study was
that some female students were reluctant and hesitant to give correct answers
to questions particularly when sex and contraceptives are sensitive
issues. And some were not wiling to talk
about their sexual lives. Thus, which
adversely affected the authenticity and accuracy of the information on this
study.
Definition of Terms
1.
Fertile
Period: This is the time when
contraception can occur and one might likely to become pregnant.
2.
Contraceptive
Prevalence Rate (CPR): A measure of
extent of contraceptives use among a define population group at a point in
time.
3.
Sexuality: Sexuality is the development of sexual
attitude and practices that creates room for sexual intimate relationship.