Introduction

Emergency Contraception (EC) refers to a group of birth control contraceptive modalities. If it is used following unprotected sexual intercourse within a defined time period, an unwanted pregnancy could be prevented [1]. For example, EC can reduce the risk of an unintended pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse or contraceptive failure by at least 75% to 99%, if taken within 72 hours of sexual intercourse [2], [3]. A recent research suggests that combined EC pills are moderately effective even if it was started between the third and fifth day, up to a maximum of 120 hours following the act of sexual intercourse [4], [5].

EC is largely underutilized around the world. It has been referred to as one of the best kept “secrets” in Reproductive Health [6]. In many low income countries, the lack of knowledge about and the access to EC has resulted in women resorting to unsafe or illegal abortions. Every year, unplanned pregnancies have led to at least 50 million abortions worldwide, many of them being unsafe and subsequently resulting, in approximately 80 000 maternal deaths. This contributes significantly to maternal morbidity and mortality [7]. Knowledge and practice on emergency contraception are particularly important as a result of the high rates of unwanted and teenage pregnancies and soaring STI’s and HIV/AIDS rates. Different studies, however, have shown that the knowledge and practices in relation to emergency contraception are limited amongst the female university students [8]–[12].

In South Africa (SA), teenage pregnancies occurrs from unstable relationship and they are usually unplanned or unwanted pregnancies. In fact, in 2004, 13% of abortions conducted at government health institutions were for women younger than 18 years of age, which was considerably higher than their contribution to the total fertility rate [13]. Although several contraceptive methods, including EC, are available and free to users at all public sector health facilities across the country, however high rates of teenage and unintended pregnancies still persists in South Africa. It is estimated that up to 75% of pregnancies in South Africa are unintended, with the highest proportion being among adolescents, and with a very high incidence of sexual assault [14]–[16].

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Table 1. Demographic information’s and their association with awareness of EC^a.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0046346.t001

In order to increase the public health benefits, of widespread hormonal EC availability, potential users must be well informed about the use of EC. Specifically, women in their child-bearing age must know that EC does exists, know the time limits within which EC may be effective, and know where EC can be obtained from quickly. Without this knowledge, women will miss the opportunity to access free EC at public sector health facilities, where 84% of contraceptive users, in South Africa obtain their contraception [17]. Women’s lack of information and knowledge about how to protect themselves from pregnancy and prevent unplanned pregnancies can be very risky and disastrous. Given the importance of EC, the purpose of this study are to investigate the knowledge, practices, and attitudes among female university students in South Africa regarding EC.

Materials and Methods

Study Setting

The Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) is situated about 18 kilometers, south of the busiest port city (Durban) of South Africa in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province. The programmes are prioritized to serve mainly, the students from the historically, disadvantaged communities. In 2011, the student population for the day students was 8345, of which 4244 were females and 4101 were males. MUT offers postgraduate qualifications and national diplomas, with academic teaching continuing during both the day and the evenings. There are 3 Faculties, namely, Natural Sciences, Engineering and Management Sciences as well as an Extended Curriculum Programme.

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Table 2. Sexual behavior, contraceptive uses and pregnancy status of the university students’^a.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0046346.t002

Study Design, and Data Collection

This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted in September 2011 among full–time undergraduate MUT students. The Multi-stage sampling techniques were used to approach the participants. The study was conducted by means of a questionnaire survey. The questionnaire included questions on demographic variables, sexual behavior, knowledge, practices and attitudes regarding EC. The data collection procedure has been explained elsewhere [18].

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Table 3. Knowledge of students who ever heard about EC.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0046346.t003

Ethical Considerations

Ethical permission for the study was obtained from the Ethics task team of the Faculty of Natural Sciences Research and the Publications Committee of MUT. Written informed consent of the participants was obtained. Confidentiality of the participants was maintained at all times. To further maintain anonymity, no forms of identifiers were in the questionnaires, as code numbers were used. Participation was voluntary and the participants were informed that they could withdraw from the study at any stage of the interview, if they so desired, without any penalty or explanation.

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Table 4. Utilization and attitudes towards EC among the students.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0046346.t004

Data Analysis

Data were entered into Microsoft excel 2003 spreadsheet and imported to SPSS 17.0.1 for window version for analysis. Both bivariate and multivariate analysis techniques were applied, to identify the factors associated with the likelihood of being aware of EC. The Chi-square test was used to test the association. The variables that were significant in the bivariate analysis were re-examined using stepwise binary logistic regression, in order to identify the significant predictors after controlling other variables. P-values were reported to three decimal places, with values less than 0.001, reported as <0.001 and values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

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Table 5. Results of multivariate logistic regression modelling to determine factors independently associated with awareness of EC among female university students.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0046346.t005

Results

A total of 852 students completed the questionnaires. Table 1 summarizes the demographic information, as well as their association with awareness of EC. The average age of the female students was 20.9 years (SD = 3.0). The majority of the students were between the ages of 18 and 24 years old (90.1%) and single (92.7%). More than half (61.4%) were staying in the university hostels, and almost half (48.1%) were in their second year of university studies. Students over the age of 20 years, were more likely to have heard of EC, than their younger counterparts (p<0.001). Student who they were staying with was significantly associated with awareness of EC (p = 0.007).

Participants’ sexual behavior and contraceptive uses have been analyzed (Table 2). Regarding sexual activities among the female students, 53.2% reported to have sex prior to the study and the median age of first sexual encounter was 19 years. More than half (57.2%) were presently sexually active. Amongst those who ever had sex, about two-thirds (64.2%) ever used contraceptives, and 58.3% used it during their last sexual intercourse. The main methods of contraceptives used by the students were oral contraceptive pills (28.0%) followed by injectables (25.8%). One in five female students reported being pregnant (19.9%) of which 51.1% were unwanted and over a fifth (22.2%) had induced abortions. Students who had sex, as well as those who are presently sexually active, were more likely to have heard of EC than their counterparts (p<0.001, p = 0.030 respectively). Also, students having induced abortion had a higher chance of knowing about EC (p<0.001).

The questionnaire specifically asked about EC (Table 3). Overall, 49.8% of the participants reported of having heard about EC prior to the study. Very little information was provided by the media and HCW’s, but friends were the source of information for 55.2% of the female students, who had heard about EC. Regarding accessing EC, more than two-thirds (70.5%) knew that EC is available at public health facilities and 61.6% indicated from pharmacists. Less than a third (30.4%) knew that a prescription is not required to obtain EC from pharmacists. When asked to choose a method from a list of practices and products that have been used for EC, the most commonly chosen methods were oral contraceptives (Norlevo, Ovral, Microval, Nordette). With regard, to when EC could be used effectively, 29.5% students said it could be used up to 72 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse, and 8% said it could be used just before sex. The major adverse effects that the students linked with EC were infertility and bleeding (34.9% and 25.7%) respectively.

The participants’ EC utilization and attitudes have been analyzed (Table 4). More than a fifth (21.2%) of the sexually experienced students used EC, and amongst them 57.8% obtained EC from the public health facility, during their last use. The students who knew about EC, 61.8% would recommend its use, and amongst them 43.1% mentioned they will recommend it in case of rape, unprotected sex or contraceptive mishaps. More than two-thirds (70%) of the respondents called for information about EC in the orientation program, as well as that EC should be provided at the university health clinic. If EC is needed, however 63.2% of the students mentioned of using EC in future.

Backward logistic regression analysis was carried out to find the significant predictors for awareness of EC. Initially, in the model, all the variables that had significant association with awareness of EC, were included in the model (Table 5). The variables were then removed, one by one from the model, which did not have a significant impact on the model. The results indicated that the students who were between the ages of 20–25 years, were three times more likely to be aware of EC, than those who were below the age of 20 years (OR = 3.2, p<0.001). Presently sexually active students were twice more likely to be aware of EC, than non-sexually active students (OR = 2.1, p = 0.016). Lastly, students living with parents had three times more chances of knowing about EC, than those living in other places (OR = 3.3, p = 0.030).

Discussion

This study investigated female university students’ knowledge, practices, and attitudes towards EC. The findings of this study indicate that knowledge, and practices of EC were relatively low but had positive attitudes regarding EC among the female university students.

The majority of the students were single and between the ages of 20 and 25 years. More than half (53.2%) reported to have sex prior to the study, and among them 35.8% never used any contraceptive methods. More than half (51.1%) of the pregnancies were unwanted and 22.2% had induced abortions. These findings indicate that university students are at risk of unsafe abortions, with possible consequences of genital infection and infertility [10]. A study from Ghana also reported similar findings [19].

Overall, 49.8% of the participants reported having heard about EC prior to the study, which is lower than the previous study (56.5%) conducted amongst other tertiary students of the very same region [20]. Many other studies conducted among university students found higher rates. For example, in Cameroon (63%), Ghana (51.4%), Nigeria (67.8%), Nepal (66%), Mexico (95%) and in the USA (94%) [15], [19], [21]–[24]. A South African study conducted among young women aged 15–24 years attending public sector health facilities’ reported that only 17% of the women had ever heard of emergency contraception [25]. In this study, 50.2% never heard of EC. Such findings highlight the need for wider education on reproductive health in general and especially of EC.

A large number of students heard about EC from their friends (55.2%) and a few had heard it from HCW’s. This finding is in line with other South African studies [20], [26]. These findings suggest that peer education approaches might be helpful in increasing EC awareness. A study conducted among pharmacists and doctors regarding EC, reported that they were reasonably informed of the methods, and there is a need to improve their knowledge [27]. HCW’s need to be educated about methods, safety, time limits and side effects of EC.

The present study reveals a lack of knowledge about EC among the participants. More than two-thirds (69.6%) did not know that a prescription is not required to obtain EC from pharmacists, and 29.7% did not know the right time limits for it’s effectiveness. Similar results have been reported from other African universities as well as from South Africa [8], [9], [20], [26]. Since the majority of the students’ source of information was peer-related, it is therefore not surprising to see that the correct knowledge of EC, and its timing was very poor among those who knew about it [28].

The utilization of EC among the sexually active students was relatively low (21.2%) compared to 28% in another South African study [29]. A South African study conducted among sexually active women attending public health clinics reported that 13% of the women ever used EC [26]. The EC utilization rate was higher than that of other African campuses. Studies reported 7.4% in Cameroon, 5.7% in Nigeria, 4.9% in Ethiopia [10]–[12]. The lack of knowledge of its use and side effects, concerns associated with cultural and societal beliefs, and misconceptions about its utilization could be the reasons for the low usages [29].

Most of the female students had a positive attitude towards the utilization of EC, as they would use it in future if required, and would recommend it to others. They also indicated that EC’s information’s should be included in the university orientation program. This is in line with Ghanaian students, who also had similar attitudes [19]. This indicates that the students are interested in learning more about EC, and that the university management should address this issue.

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to acknowledge the Academic Board & Research & Ethics Committee of Mangosuthu University of Technology for supporting the study. Also acknowledge Mrs. Chetty for editing the manuscript.