Influence of discipline of study on contraceptive usage among undergraduates in Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Objective: To determine the influence of discipline of study on contraceptive usage among undergraduates in southwest Nigeria.

Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study of students from medical and nonmedical disciplines was carried out.

Results: A total of 387 undergraduates were investigated, out of which 198 (55.8%) were from medical disciplines (MD), and 189 (44.2%) were from nonmedical discipline (NMD). Out of the total number of respondents (387), 229 (59.2%), were sexually active, out of which 26.2% had been sexually active without contraception with a greater proportion of students of NMD being affected (p < 0.05). Students from MD had a better knowledge (71.9%) of contraception than those from NMD (28.1%). However, more students from NMD use contraceptives (62%) compared to those from MD (54%) (p < 0.05). Despite this, more students from NMD became pregnant despite contraceptive use (11%) compared to those from MD (5.1%) (p < 0.05). The condom was the most commonly used contraceptive among both disciplines. The peer group was the commonest source of information on contraception.

Conclusion: Discipline of study has an important influence on contraceptive usage. This is a pointer to the absolute need for adequate contraceptive education for every student, irrespective of the discipline of study.