Levels and predictors of knowledge, attitude and practice of contraception among female TV undergraduates in Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

Introduction Access to contraception is a preventive measure against unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections; especially in sub-Saharan Africa where unmet need is a huge public health concern. This study assessed the levels and predictors of knowledge, attitude and practice of contraception among female TV studies students in Nigeria.

This is a cross-sectional study was conducted among female students of NTA TV College, Nigeria. Predictors of good knowledge, attitude and practice of contraception were determined by multivariable binary logistic regression. A p-value of < 0.05 was determined to be statistically.

There were 217 study participants; with an average age of 22 years. Levels of good knowledge, attitude and practice of contraception were 55.3%, 47.5%, and 50.7% respectively. About 74% has ever had sex; with their main sources of contraceptive information from friends and the internet; and commonly used contraceptives are condom and oral contraceptive pills. The commonest reason for the non-use of contraceptives is fear of side effects or health risks. Being a young adult is a significant predictor (aOR: 2.633 [95% CI: 1.031-6.723); p=0.043) of good knowledge; while being a diploma student (aOR: 2.369 [95%CI: 1.219-4.604]; p=0.011); living off-campus (aOR: 2.134 [95%CI: 1.043-4.368]; p=0.038) and good knowledge (aOR: 3.798 [95%CI: 2.079-6.937]; p=0.000) are significant predictors of good attitude. Being from the state’s indigenous population (aOR: 2.369 [95%CI: 1.222-4.595]; p=0.011) and ever engaging in sex (aOR: 24.482 [95%CI: 7.914-75.736]; p=0.000) are significant predictors of good contraceptive use.

Our study has shown relatively low levels of good knowledge, attitude and practice of contraception and their predictors. Therefore, there is an urgent need to improve advocacy and policies to improve knowledge, attitude and practice on contraception and sexual and reproductive health services among young people. Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. Funding Statement This study did not receive any funding Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Yes The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below: Ethical clearance was obtained from the JUTH Research and Ethics Committee (JUTH/DCS/IREC/127/XXXI/2619). I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals. Yes I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Yes I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable. Yes Data Availability All data produced in the present study are available upon reasonable request to the authors