THE USE OF CONTRACEPTIVE DRUGS AMONG FEMALE STUDENTS (A CASE STUDY OF DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY, ABARAKA)

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Research has shown that students who have just joined university find themselves in a state of excitement and a significant increase in sexual exposures. These excitements of high number of sexual partners are linked with social transitions such as changing from being high school students, and at times moving from a restricted family to where they have freedom; also moving from rural to more liberal urban environment. The large proportions of university students are found among the young people who are on the upper end of their teenage period. It is assumed that young people between the ages of 15-24 years including university students constitute 20% of the total population of the world. Several studies have shown sexual behaviours and the attended risks among youths and in particular university students. Low level of contraceptive usage among young people in Sub-Saharan Africa has been the main reason for high prevalence rate of unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortion. Moreover, estimates of unsafe abortions in Africa show that more than one-quarter were experienced by15-19 year olds. Most of our teenage male and female have their first sexual intercourse before the age of 18. Therefore, effective and innovative programs that can provide youth with sound sexual health information and services are needed. Proliferation of the use of various types of contraceptives particularly among the young female has been observed, even when the effectiveness, safety, side effects, contraindications and availability of these methods vary. With such an array of methods to influence the choice of the medical experts, special precaution should be taken with respect to patient suitability and adverse effects of each method. It is therefore the responsibility of health professionals to ascertain that each person who obtains a family planning method has sufficient information on the proposed method and that this person is competent to make a choice. The choice of contraceptive method is often individualized based on a patient’s age, profile or need. Thus an opportunity should be given to individuals or couples to make their choices. Effective contraception reduces the burden of reproductive ill health by decreasing mortality and morbidity associated with unwanted pregnancies. It also reduces fertility, which, in turn, can play a crucial role in poverty reduction.