Knowledge of Contraceptives, Knowledge of Types, and Identified Challenges to Contraceptives Use among Undergraduate Nursing Students in the University for Development Studies

Background: Contraceptives are classified primarily into two categories: classic/traditional and modern methods. They are considered as critical preventive measure of unplanned pregnancies and sexual transmitted infections (STIs). This survey was carried out among nursing students of the University for Development Studies main campus in Tamale (UDS). The aim of the study was to describe undergraduate nursing students’ knowledge of contraceptives, their knowledge of the types, and the challenges they identified to be associated with contraceptive use. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was carried out among 230 nursing students (n = 230). A quota was assigned to each level of study (that is, levels 100, 200, 300, and 400) based on the population of students at each level of study. Following that, participants were randomly selected using a class list as a sample frame. Self-administered questionnaire was distributed to students for their response. With the help of IBM’s Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 22), analysis of the data was conducted using descriptive statistics. Results: Approximately 60% of research participants reported having their first sexual encounter between the ages of 15 and 19, with 35% reporting utilizing contraception. Contraception was currently used by 58 percent of recruited students, 82 percent of whom were Christians. There was a gradient in students’ knowledge of contraceptives, with the level 100 being the least and level 400 with the highest knowledge. Condom was the most known and often used technique (52%), followed by emergency contraception (14%). Again, the most frequently cited reasons for using contraceptives were to avoid pregnancy or to prevent someone else from becoming pregnant (57%), and to prevent sexually transmitted illnesses (43%). At 40%, pharmacy/drug stores were reported to be the most popular supplier of contraceptives, followed by family planning clinics at 26%. By virtue of the type of contraceptive commonly used by participants, most of them (75%) reported not experiencing challenge in using contraceptives. For the nonusers of contraceptives, various reasons were cited including that it was against their faith (26%), the fear of side effects (25%), among others. Conclusion: Notwithstanding that a greater number of the students had knowledge of at least one contraceptive technique, it did not translate into improved consistent use of contraceptive. There is lacked of adequate knowledge of many contraceptive techniques. We recommend the implementation of educational programs to increase students’ knowledge of the various types of contraceptives, including the benefits and drawbacks of all contraceptive techniques. Making contraceptives, mainly condoms, more accessible in appropriate, culturally sensitive, student-friendly contexts has never been more critical than it is now, particularly in light of the growing need to address the proliferation of misguided and misleading information on sexuality and risky sexual behaviours among adolescents in the social media.