Aman Jima, Mesfin Tafa Segni and Ababi Zergaw
Background: Knowledge about methods of emergency contraception could reduce the level of unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortion. Particularly, utilization of emergency contraception among unmarried women have beneficiary health outcome as it adds choice for helping sexually active unmarried women to avoid unintended pregnancy and its consequences. Objectives: To assess knowledge, attitude and utilization of emergency contraception among unmarried women of reproductive age. Methods: A cross-sectional community based survey was conducted among 491 unmarried women of reproductive age chosen by systematic random sampling method at Adama Town. Collected data using pre-tested structured questionnaire were analyzed by chi-square test and binary logistic regression. Result: From the total unmarried women participated in the study (n=470), one hundred eighty two (38.7%) had knowledge of emergency contraception. Of these 182, one hundred seventy three (95%) of them know oral pills only and the rest know oral pills and intra uterine devices as a method of emergency contraception. About 61.3% of those ever heard of emergency contraception had positive attitude towards making emergency contraception available to all women who need it but only 4.2% of respondents reported that they had used emergency contraception previously. Age, educational status, occupation, knowledge of time in menstrual cycle when pregnancy is more likely to occur, having experience of sexual intercourse and having discussion on reproductive health are significantly associated with awareness of emergency contraceptive (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Emergency contraception knowledge, attitude and utilization among sampled urban unmarried women is low. Therefore, there is a need to emphasize on increasing knowledge and accessibility of emergency contraception to all unmarried women in the study area.
