AN APPRAISAL OF THE KNOWLEDGE AND USAGE OF CONTRACEPTIVE AMONG FEMALE STUDENTS

ABSTRACT: The broad focus of this study is to examine contraceptive use among female students in University of Uyo. Survey design was employed for the study with the aid of  convenience sampling method, one hundred and forty-seven(147) participant who are female student of university of Uyo were selected as the participant of the study. Well structure questionnaire was issued to the enrolled participants of which 141 of the instrument were retrieved and validated for the study. Data was analyzed in simple percentage, mean ad standard deviation presented  in frequencies and tables.  The study was anchored on the theory of reasoned action (TRA) by Ajzen and Fishbein (1975 & 1980) and the Theory of Planned Behaviour (Tpb). The study revealed that the prevalence of contraceptive use was high among female student in university of uyo and that the purpose of its use was majorly to prevent pregnancy for both married and unmarried respondents. More so Female  in the study area prefer mostly the use of contraceptive pills and condoms as a way of preventing pregnancy and sexual transmitted diseases. Few women prefer either injectable contraceptive drugs, intra-uterine contraceptive devices or sterilization methods.  The study recommends that contraceptives such as pills should be made available at a cheaper rate by health care providers in order to make women purchase them and proper awareness should be created on healthy use of contraceptives within university communities.