Knowledge, attitudes and practices of second cycle adolescents aged 16 to 19 in the matter of emergency contraception at CEG1 in Natitingou

Abstract

 Introduction: School pregnancies are an increasingly recurrent phenomenon. In the departments of Atacora Donga, 549 pupils and schoolgirls become pregnant each year. Emergency contraception is a catch-up method used to prevent unwanted pregnancies following unsafe sex.
Objective: To study the knowledge, attitudes and practices of emergency contraception among second cycle adolescents aged 16 to 19 at CEG1 in Natitingou. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study involving 254 adolescent girls. Data collection was aguided interview with each of the students in a location prepared for this purpose to ensure confidentiality. The data 
collected was analyzed and entered using EPI data 3.1 and EPI Info 7 software.
Results: Our study shows that 55.5% of adolescent girls had already heard of emergency contraception. This during acquaintance was low in 31.9%. Adolescent girls are reserved about the use of emergency contraception in 50.4% and this because of religious beliefs (33.2%) and side effects (17.2%). Emergency contraception was used at least once by 36.5% of adolescent girls surveyed.
Conclusion: Little is known among adolescent girls about emergency contraception. It is important that awareness raising measures on emergency contraception be taken among adolescent girls in order to reduce unwanted pregnancies.