Factors Associated with Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards Emergency Contraception among Female Clients of Ethiopian Immigration and Nationality Affairs Office

Background: Proper knowledge, attitude and practice of contraceptives prevent occurrence of undesirable outcomes of the unintended conceptions. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the level and factors associated with knowledge, attitude and practice of emergency contraception. Methods: An institution based cross sectional study design was conducted among 416 female clients of Ethiopian immigration and nationality affair office in Addis Ababa in 2013. Study participants were selected by systematic random sampling technique. Face to face interviewer administered structured questionnaire was employed to collect data on their socio-demographic and reproductive health issues. Both binary and multiple logistic regressions were done and statistical significance was considered based on 95% CI of odds ratios and P- Value <0.05. Result: Only 40.1% of the participants had ever heard about emergency contraceptive of whom 47.3% were found to be knowledgeable rated based on multiple knowledge questions. Around 39.4% had positive attitude towards emergency contraceptive. Only 9.3% of the sexually active participants have ever used emergency contraceptive. Lack of knowledge about the method was major barrier for not using emergency contraceptive. Age 20 and above years [AOR=7.20, 95% CI=1.26, 41.08], being married [AOR=12.49, 95%CI=1.81, 86.47] and ever used emergency contraceptive [AOR=5.26, 95%CI=1.05, 26.54] were significant predictors to knowledge of emergency contraceptive while having adequate knowledge about emergency contraceptive [AOR=5.08,95%CI=1.19,21.56] and ever used contraceptive [AOR=13.7, 95% CI=2.66, 70.59] were significant predictor for use of emergency contraceptive. Conclusion: The level of knowledge, attitude and practice towards emergency contraceptive is very low depicting potential of emergency contraceptive to prevent unintended pregnancies and their complications is far from being realized. Hence, awareness creations accompanied by availing necessary supplies are needed to raise knowledge and practice of emergency contraceptive among female adolescents departing to different nations