Abstract

Students in the universities mostly live independently from their parents or guardians, some of them for the first time. This gives them freedom and opportunity for high risk behavior such as unplanned and unprotected sex. The results of such sexual experimentation may include unplanned and or unwanted pregnancies that may lead to unsafe abortions and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV/AIDS. Contraception has the potential to prevent unwanted pregnancies, abortion, and STIs. This study aimed at assessing the general knowledge on contraceptives, sexual practices, and level of utilization of contraceptives devices and challenges encountered in the usages of contraceptives devices among university students in Buea Municipality. In order to achieved these study objectives 100 students were randomly sampled across the municipality using a structures questionnaire survey. Findings revealed that there is a great deal of the students has good knowledge on contraceptives, types and its uses as most uses contraceptives as a means to prevent pregnancy. Majority of the students practiced the usage of contraceptives such as Pills, Condom, Cervical cap, Spermicide, IUD, Implant, Diaphragm, Jadelle and Depo Provera. Though major form of usage among university students were condom and pills. However, students faced many challenges in the usages of these contraceptives such as unavailability of some contraceptives, some are scares in the market, others very expensive, other causes increase in weight gain, some experiences body weakness yet others stated high rate of failure among contraceptives such as condoms. Adequate knowledge, and right practice of contraception among youths will go a long way to combat the challenges of unplanned pregnancy. The study suggested that universities authorities should provide health clinics which will provide students with counseling on sex related matters and also provide easily accessible contraceptive services where the need arises. It was recommended that total abstinence should be encouraged among all students.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of Study

Globally, youths are more sexually active than any subgroup of the population (Fagbamigbe et al., 2011). The proportion of sexually active adolescents has been on the increase worldwide including Cameroon (Alika, 2012). This is exposing large numbers of youths to the risk of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) including HIV/AIDS. The bio-social gap between the early onset of puberty and the increasing age of marriage has widened in most African countries (Arowojolu and Adekunle, 2000). This widens the window for pre-marital sexual activity that further exposes them to the risk of unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and sexually-transmitted infections (Abiodun and Balogun, 2009).

Tertiary education gives students the opportunity for greater independence from home, with new friendships and romantic or sexual relationships (Aziken and Okonta, 2003). These new opportunities and freedom come with high-risk behaviours such as unplanned and unprotected sex sometimes with multiple sexual partners (Aziken and Okonta, 2003). These new behaviours are often hinged on curiosity, peer pressure and sexual maturation. The result of such sexual experimentation includes unplanned and or unwanted pregnancies that lead to abortions, (mostly unsafe), and sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS (Adeniji et al., 2014).

The level of prostitution and all forms of promiscuous behaviour associated with students of tertiary institutions and other anti-social sexual behaviours, coupled with the widespread of sexually transmitted infections and teenage pregnancy amongst undergraduates is of great concern to the society (Ugoji, 2013). The absence of contraceptive services in tertiary institutions has further led to increased rates of unwanted pregnancy, unsafe abortions and STIs among undergraduates of these institutions (Ugoji, 2013).

Contraception is defined as the deliberate prevention of conception or impregnations (Osayi Osemwenkha, 2004). Numerous methods of contraception are available hence classification varies Abstinence provides 100 per cent protection from HIV, STIs, and pregnancy. For some, this means avoiding vaginal, anal, and oral-genital intercourse altogether. Other types of contraception include; Barrier methods (condoms), hormonal methods (Pills), Implants, Intra-Uterine Contraceptive Devices (IUCDs) and Emergency contraception (Omoteso, 2006).

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The prevalence of maternal mortality (the number of women who die during pregnancy and childbirth per 100.000 live births) is still high in Cameroon. 529 in 2017.

Lack of sexual reproductive health information and service has led to many health problems. Globally, there are more than 2 million 10-19-year-old living with HIV and about one in seven of all new cases of HIV infection occurred during adolescence

Young people’s reproductive health is often overlooked. Health facilities frequently fail to provide a young adult with specialized reproductive health information and counselling services even though they are increasingly exposed to reproductive health risks. It is estimated that about 16 million girls aged 15-19 and 1 million girls under the age of 15 give birth annually and most of the births occur in low and mid-income countries.

Contraceptive use needs to be implemented to effectively eradicate the high level of maternal deaths especially among students of tertiary institutions and colleges which has a high level of teenage pregnancies which is the leading cause of high maternal deaths because teenage pregnancies are related with a high level of pregnancy-related risk factors like preterm labour, increase risk of anaemia, a high rate of caesarian section, low birth weight. All this is due to the low level or lack of knowledge and practice of contraception.

1.3 Research Question

1.3.1 General Research Question

The general research question is: what knowledge and practices university students hold on contraceptives in Buea Municipality?

1.3.2 Specific Research Questions

1. What knowledge and practices do university students have concerning contraceptives?
2. What is the different method of contraceptives used by University students in Buea Municipality?
3. What are the challenges, encounter in the usage of contraceptive methods among university students in Buea Municipality                           

1.4 The objective of the Study

1.4.1 Main Objective

The main objective of the study is to assess the knowledge and practices of contraceptive usage among university students in the Buea Municipality.

1.4.2 Specific Objectives

Specifically, the study seeks;

1. To assess the knowledge and practices of contraceptive among university students
2. To identify the choice method of contraceptive methods
3. To determine the challenges, encounter in the usage of contraceptive methods