Exploring knowledge, attitudes, practices, and determinants regarding emergency contraception use among female university students in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo: a cross-sectional study
Abstract Introduction Emergency contraception is an essential method for preventing unintended pregnancies, especially after unprotected sexual intercourse. However, knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to emergency contraception among university students remain underexplored, particularly in...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2025-02-01
|
| Series: | Contraception and Reproductive Medicine |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40834-025-00339-6 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1823861497844989952 |
|---|---|
| author | Patricia Lukusa Mishika Olivier Mukuku Amos Kamundu Kaymarlin Govender Stanislas Okitotsho Wembonyama André Kabamba Mutombo |
| author_facet | Patricia Lukusa Mishika Olivier Mukuku Amos Kamundu Kaymarlin Govender Stanislas Okitotsho Wembonyama André Kabamba Mutombo |
| author_sort | Patricia Lukusa Mishika |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Introduction Emergency contraception is an essential method for preventing unintended pregnancies, especially after unprotected sexual intercourse. However, knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to emergency contraception among university students remain underexplored, particularly in low-resource settings such as Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The objective of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitudes, practices, and determinants influencing the use of emergency contraception among female students in Goma. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 677 female students from two universities in Goma who were selected via a cluster sampling method. Data were collected via a preestablished questionnaire, and participants were interviewed after providing consent. The data were analysed via STATA 16, with chi-square tests to compare variables, considering a significance threshold of 5%. Results A total of 625 (92.32%) students reported being aware of emergency contraception, and 80.32% demonstrated good knowledge of it. In terms of attitudes, 533 (85.28%) students had positive attitudes towards emergency contraception. Among the 625 students who were familiar with emergency contraception, 416 had engaged in sexual intercourse, with 294 (70.67%) having utilized emergency contraception. Factors significantly linked to emergency contraception use included being single (adjusted OR = 1.9 [95% CI: 1.1–3.2]), possessing good knowledge (adjusted OR = 3.0 [95% CI: 1.6–5.8]), and having a positive attitude (adjusted OR = 2.4 [95% CI: 1.1–4.9]). Conclusion Although the students demonstrated good awareness of emergency contraception and its utilization, the high frequency of emergency contraception use underscores the importance of promoting knowledge about conventional contraceptive methods. It is crucial to enhance educational campaigns within universities to mitigate the elevated risk of unsafe abortions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-bd3b087a98274b70930199436b6f2387 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2055-7426 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Contraception and Reproductive Medicine |
| spelling | doaj-art-bd3b087a98274b70930199436b6f23872025-02-09T12:58:51ZengBMCContraception and Reproductive Medicine2055-74262025-02-0110111110.1186/s40834-025-00339-6Exploring knowledge, attitudes, practices, and determinants regarding emergency contraception use among female university students in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo: a cross-sectional studyPatricia Lukusa Mishika0Olivier Mukuku1Amos Kamundu2Kaymarlin Govender3Stanislas Okitotsho Wembonyama4André Kabamba Mutombo5School of Public Health, University of GomaInstitut Supérieur des Techniques Médicales de LubumbashiSchool of Public Health, University of GomaHealth Economics and HIV and AIDS Research Division, University of KwaZulu-NatalSchool of Public Health, University of GomaFaculty of Medicine, Official University of Mbuji-MayiAbstract Introduction Emergency contraception is an essential method for preventing unintended pregnancies, especially after unprotected sexual intercourse. However, knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to emergency contraception among university students remain underexplored, particularly in low-resource settings such as Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The objective of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitudes, practices, and determinants influencing the use of emergency contraception among female students in Goma. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 677 female students from two universities in Goma who were selected via a cluster sampling method. Data were collected via a preestablished questionnaire, and participants were interviewed after providing consent. The data were analysed via STATA 16, with chi-square tests to compare variables, considering a significance threshold of 5%. Results A total of 625 (92.32%) students reported being aware of emergency contraception, and 80.32% demonstrated good knowledge of it. In terms of attitudes, 533 (85.28%) students had positive attitudes towards emergency contraception. Among the 625 students who were familiar with emergency contraception, 416 had engaged in sexual intercourse, with 294 (70.67%) having utilized emergency contraception. Factors significantly linked to emergency contraception use included being single (adjusted OR = 1.9 [95% CI: 1.1–3.2]), possessing good knowledge (adjusted OR = 3.0 [95% CI: 1.6–5.8]), and having a positive attitude (adjusted OR = 2.4 [95% CI: 1.1–4.9]). Conclusion Although the students demonstrated good awareness of emergency contraception and its utilization, the high frequency of emergency contraception use underscores the importance of promoting knowledge about conventional contraceptive methods. It is crucial to enhance educational campaigns within universities to mitigate the elevated risk of unsafe abortions.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40834-025-00339-6Sexual behaviorKnowledgeAttitudes and practicesEmergency contraceptionFemale studentsWomen |
| spellingShingle | Patricia Lukusa Mishika Olivier Mukuku Amos Kamundu Kaymarlin Govender Stanislas Okitotsho Wembonyama André Kabamba Mutombo Exploring knowledge, attitudes, practices, and determinants regarding emergency contraception use among female university students in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo: a cross-sectional study Contraception and Reproductive Medicine Sexual behavior Knowledge Attitudes and practices Emergency contraception Female students Women |
| title | Exploring knowledge, attitudes, practices, and determinants regarding emergency contraception use among female university students in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full | Exploring knowledge, attitudes, practices, and determinants regarding emergency contraception use among female university students in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo: a cross-sectional study |
| title_fullStr | Exploring knowledge, attitudes, practices, and determinants regarding emergency contraception use among female university students in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring knowledge, attitudes, practices, and determinants regarding emergency contraception use among female university students in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo: a cross-sectional study |
| title_short | Exploring knowledge, attitudes, practices, and determinants regarding emergency contraception use among female university students in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo: a cross-sectional study |
| title_sort | exploring knowledge attitudes practices and determinants regarding emergency contraception use among female university students in goma democratic republic of the congo a cross sectional study |
| topic | Sexual behavior Knowledge Attitudes and practices Emergency contraception Female students Women |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40834-025-00339-6 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT patricialukusamishika exploringknowledgeattitudespracticesanddeterminantsregardingemergencycontraceptionuseamongfemaleuniversitystudentsingomademocraticrepublicofthecongoacrosssectionalstudy AT oliviermukuku exploringknowledgeattitudespracticesanddeterminantsregardingemergencycontraceptionuseamongfemaleuniversitystudentsingomademocraticrepublicofthecongoacrosssectionalstudy AT amoskamundu exploringknowledgeattitudespracticesanddeterminantsregardingemergencycontraceptionuseamongfemaleuniversitystudentsingomademocraticrepublicofthecongoacrosssectionalstudy AT kaymarlingovender exploringknowledgeattitudespracticesanddeterminantsregardingemergencycontraceptionuseamongfemaleuniversitystudentsingomademocraticrepublicofthecongoacrosssectionalstudy AT stanislasokitotshowembonyama exploringknowledgeattitudespracticesanddeterminantsregardingemergencycontraceptionuseamongfemaleuniversitystudentsingomademocraticrepublicofthecongoacrosssectionalstudy AT andrekabambamutombo exploringknowledgeattitudespracticesanddeterminantsregardingemergencycontraceptionuseamongfemaleuniversitystudentsingomademocraticrepublicofthecongoacrosssectionalstudy |