CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of study

The knowledge of family planning (contraception) is nearly known by all with approximately 90% of women between reproductive age that is; 15 to 49years knowing at least one modern method of family planning (Malone et al 2010).

Tertiary education has given youths the opportunity to be independent and free from parental guidance with the company of new friends, romantic or sexual relationships (Aziken 2003). These new opportunities and liberty come with high-risk behaviours such as unplanned and unprotected sex some things like multiple sexual partners (Aziken and Okonta ,2003).

Globally, youths are more sexually active than any other subgroups of any population (Fagbamigbe et al 2011), there has been a rapid increase in the proportion of sexually active adolescents worldwide including Cameroon (Alika 2012).

This exposes a larger proportion of youths to the risk of unprotected sex, unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and unsafe abortions. These recent changes in youths are often linked to peer pressure, curiosity and sexual maturation.

The rapid increase of unwanted pregnancy and criminal abortion is alarming in our societies today because of the high level of promiscuous behaviours associated with youths, coupled with widespread sexually transmitted diseases and teenage pregnancy (Ugoji ,2013). Inappropriate use of contraceptives by youths has drastically increased unplanned pregnancy, unsafe abortion, STIs and HIV\AIDS among youths (Ugoji 2013).

Worldwide, contraceptives are mostly used by the more developed regions than the less developed regions(WHO 2013).However, in the group of less developed countries, traditional methods of contraceptives are used (UNFPA 2015).

Contraception is defined as the intentional prevention of conception through the use of various devices, sexual practices, chemicals, drugs or surgical procedures. (Rakhi and Sumathi, 2011). In a social context effective contraceptive reduces the fear of unwanted pregnancy, criminal abortion, the main aim is to achieve this with maximum comfort and privacy, at the same time reducing cost and side effects ( Rakhi and sumathi, 2011).

Types of contraceptives are; barrier methods like the male and female condoms which provide twin advantages (that is protection from STDs and unwanted pregnancy), hormonal methods, permanent methods, chemical methods and natural methods. Abstinences remain the best type of contraceptive as it provides a 100% guarantee to be safe from STIs, unwanted pregnancy and HIV.

1.2 Statement of the problem

The rapid increase of unwanted pregnancy, criminal abortion and maternal mortality is still high in Cameroon (references and percentage) and also the youth’s reproductive health is often neglected as some parents feel shy to educate and counsel their children regarding reproductive health even though they are exposed to reproductive health risk.

Lack of sexual reproductive health information has led to many health issues. Globally, In 2016, 2.1 million people aged between 10 -19years were living with HIV and 260,000 became newly infected with the virus. The number of adolescents living with HIV has risen by 30% between 2005 and 2016 (UNICEF).

The effective use of contraceptives goes a long way to reduce the rate of teenage pregnancies which is the most prominent cause of maternal mortality which might come as a result of lack of money, unsafe abortion, eclampsia , peripartum sepsis, haemorrhage and preterm labour. This thus attracts this study to assess the effective use of contraceptives among youths.

1.3 Research objectives

1.3.1 General objectives

The general or main objective of this study is to assess the effective use of contraceptive among youths in Molyko Community.

1.3.2    Specific objectives

Specific objectives were to;

1. To find out,  if  youths  in the Molyko  community  are  knowledgeable  of contraceptive
2. To identify the type of contraceptive methods been used by youths in the Molyko community.
3. To determine the challenges faced by youths in the Molyko community in the usage of contraceptives method

1.4 Research question

1.4.1 General research question

Do youths in Molyko Community effectively make use of contraceptives

1.4.2 Specific research questions

1. What knowledge do youths in Molyko have regarding contraceptives and do they make use of contraceptives?
2. What are the types of contraceptives used by youths in the Molyko Community?
3. What are the challenges faced by youths in Molyko in the usage of contraceptives?