Journal of
Public Health and Epidemiology

  • Abbreviation: J. Public Health Epidemiol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2141-2316
  • DOI: 10.5897/JPHE
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 662

Full Length Research Paper

Contraceptive knowledge and usage amongst female secondary school students in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria

Adetokunbo Tayo1*, Oluwarotimi Akinola1, Abiola Babatunde1, Adeniyi Adewunmi1, Dele Osinusi1 and Lukeman Shittu2
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Lagos. 2Department of Anatomy, Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria.
Email: [email protected]

  •  Published: 31 January 2011

Abstract

The high maternal mortality and morbidity rate in Nigeria is a major concern for every stakeholder in the health sector and unsafe abortion is a major cause. As a remedy, it was suggested that active efforts to promote sexuality education and contraceptive use should be intensified among Nigerian adolescents. In this regard, we studied the level of contraceptive knowledge and use among adolescents in three secondary schools in Lagos between January to March 2010. Results showed that 5% of 1155 students with knowledge of contraception are users, 85% of sexually active respondents were non-users while condom is the most common contraceptive method used. Also, nearly 45% of respondents obtained knowledge about contraception from their parents. We believe that there is a need for aggressive advocacy on adolescent reproductive health (ARH) before initiation of sexual activity and dissemination of information on family planning methods among the teenage.

 

Key words: Contraceptive knowledge and usage, sexual behaviour, adolescent, Nigeria.