1.1 Introduction
Contraception failure or unprotected sex is the reasons why emergency contraception is given, not as a regular method of birth control (Kongnyuy et al., 2007; Young et al., 2013). Contraceptives are medications that are used to both protect men and women against STDs and to stop women from becoming pregnant. One kind of emergency contraception is the contraceptive pill. When used for a certain amount of time, contraceptives can prevent conception since they are designed to work similarly to the female hormone progesterone. Contraception should generally be started no later than three days following unprotected intercourse. It has, however, shown to work better in situations when therapy was initiated closer to the time of the sexual contact.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitation of the study and Definition of terms.
1.2 Background of Study
In recent years, female methods of birth control such as injectables and the pill have been less effective due to population growth, particularly in Africa. Up to this point, males have solely utilised the withdrawal technique and condom. Within the industrialised world, the use of contraceptives by men and women is commonly acceptable. This isn't the situation in developing nations, when males enable women to use contraception, contrary to the chauvinistic cultural view held by men that women should shield themselves from unintended births. Although having children is a joint endeavour between men and women, it is viewed as the major role of women in developing nations. This explains why male contraception has not been promoted in these places as much as female contraception. Male contraception does not appear to be supported or encouraged by African patriarchal society, which instead leads males to feel that they have no part in reproductive health.
Emergency contraception (EC) can significantly reduce the rate of unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions especially in Nigeria. Despite the increasing awareness of EC among educated young women in Nigeria, the rate of utilization remains low. This study therefore explores the health implication of contraceptive among female secondary school. The use of EC to analyze their knowledge of emergency contraception, methods ever used, perceived efficacy, and its acceptability.
Participants considered the use of condom and abstinence as the most effective methods of preventing unplanned pregnancy.
Emergency contraception is the use of a drug or device to prevent pregnancy. It could be used after an unprotected sexual intercourse, contraceptive failure, and coerced unprotected sex or in cases of sexual assault. Studies have shown that the rate of unplanned pregnancy is very high worldwide and unwanted pregnancy is the main reason women seek abortion. Emergency contraception could be very crucial in preventing unplanned pregnancies in settings where abortion is illegal, however, following the evidence presented in the literature, emergency contraception has not been demonstrated to have a population level impact with regards to the reduction in the rate of unplanned pregnancies.
Globally, many unplanned pregnancies end up being aborted in safe and unsafe conditions. In Nigeria, over half of unplanned pregnancies are aborted in unsafe conditions leading to deaths and serious complications. Abortion-related mortality accounts for an estimated 8 % of global maternal deaths. Distressingly, half of the abortion-related mortality occurs among young women especially in secondary school in Nigeria. This clearly suggests that secondary school girls as a demographic segment have a special need for emergency contraception.
The health implication of contraceptive must be studied to know whether it have negative or positive effect among secondary school girls; when taken in the middle of the menstrual cycle, the preparation may inhibit ovulation. The pill can cause changes in the menstrual cycle in the lady. Your next period could start earlier or later than expected and flow can be lighter or heavier than normal. It can cause nauseating feeling which occurs in approximately 25% of users vomiting. It can also bring about bleeding disturbances in some cases, 2-3 days following tablet ingestion .Sometimes it can cause breast tenderness, headache, dizziness, fatigue.
In the majority of cases the next period starts as expected or somewhat earlier, if the period is more than 7 days late it is recommended to perform a pregnancy test. In case of prolonged or heavy bleeding, gynecological examinations are advised. If the user has a reported case of asthma, heart failure, hypertension, migraine, epilepsy, renal impairment, diabetes mellitus, depression, and / or stroke, the preparation may be used exclusively in the above mentioned emergency cases. It is not appropriate for regular use. Contraceptive is actually a very harsh drugs on young girls, most of the secondary school girls may not follow the directives and it can cause damage to their health.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to assess the Impact of Emergency Contraception Among Final Year Female Students.
1.3 Statement of Problems
According to an investigation, there is a lack of sexual education in the majority of our households, with the reasoning being that learning about sexuality can either lead to promiscuity or encourage students to test what they have learned. However, we are all aware that this is an outdated idea in our culture, and regardless of education level, coitus will always exist. They will constantly be impacted by their peer groups, and those who have not yet been exposed to them will pick up bad behaviour from them.
In light of this, adults now have a duty to educate teenagers and young adults on the reproductive system, including how it works, how to use contraception to reduce the chance of an unwanted pregnancy, and diseases that may impact health.
The main goal of this study is to encourage parents and educators to provide our children with a solid foundation in family planning information. If this doesn't happen, there will be more unintended pregnancies, STDs, and an unjustified population expansion in society.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to examine the Impact of Emergency Contraception Among Final Year Female Students of University of Nigeria Nsukka. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To examine the knowledge of female students of University of Nigeria Nsukka on female emergency contraception;
- To determine the practice of female emergency contraception among the students in the study area; and
- To assess the factors that influences the use of these contraceptives in this age group of female students.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Are there factors that influence the use of these emergency contraceptives in this age group of female students?
- What is the practice of female emergency contraception among the students in the study area?
- What is the knowledge of female students of University of Nigeria Nsukka on female emergency contraception?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: There are no significant factors that influence the use of these emergency contraceptives in this age group of female students
- H1: There are significant factors that influence the use of these emergency contraceptives in this age group of female students
1.7 Significance of Study
The findings of this research will be of benefit to the federal ministry of education, ministry of health, secondary schools, teachers, female secondary school student and all Nigerians. The study will also be of great benefit to the researchers who intends to embark on research on similar topics as it will serve as a guide.
Additionally, this study will give us an overview of the perception or knowledge, the usage or practice of contraception among these adolescent which will again enable us to educate them on what good practice of family or reproductive health should be. This will translate into a better moral upbringing of the society around us.
Furthermore, this study will be extremely helpful to other researchers who want to learn more about it, and non-researchers can utilize it to further their own research endeavours. This research advances our understanding and may function as a model for future investigations.
1.8 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the Impact of Emergency Contraception Among Final Year Female Students of University of Nigeria Nsukka.
