Assessment of the Perception of Contraceptives uptake among in-school Adolescents in Abuja Municipal Area Council, Abuja, Nigeria

Given increasingly adolescent sexual activity and decreasing age at first sex in developing countries, the use of contraceptives to prevent unwanted pregnancy, abortion and minimize the risk of sexually transmitted infections is particularly important. This study assessed the perception and uptake of contraception among in-school adolescents in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Abuja, Nigeria. The study employed a descriptive exploratory research design to assess the perception and uptake of contraception among in-school adolescent in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) of Federal Capital Territory. Using a multistage sampling technique, 450 students were recruited for the study. A semi structured questionnaire was used in collecting data from respondents (n=441) for two weeks. The variables that were evaluated are adolescent’s perception/knowledge about contraception and its uptake. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentages, hypotheses were also tested. The mean age of the respondents is 15.64 years with greater percentage in their mid-adolescence 15-17 years old (298, 67.6%) and also females (263, 59.6%). Three hundred and fourteen (71.2%) had poor perception and 127 (28.8%) had good perception about contraception. Majority (390, 88.4%) of the in school adolescent have never used a contraceptive method. Out of the respondents that have engaged themselves in sexual activity, thirty one (60.8%) have used a contraceptive method and the male condom (28, 90.3%) is the most frequently used by the adolescents. Uptake of contraception was significantly associated to age in both the general population (P=0.000) and in the respondent that are exposed to sexual intercourse (p=0.016). It was equally significantly associated to perception on contraception among those exposed to sexual intercourse (P=0,043) and to sex (p=0.007), ethnic group (p=0.030) and high risk behavior (p=0.000) among the general population, The study showed that there is poor perception and uptake of contraception among the in school adolescents in Abuja Municipal Area Council, and it revealed that male condom was the most frequently used contraception among them. The perception about contraception was significantly associated with its uptake. It therefore recommended that adolescents should be educated on contraceptive methods, their use and the consequences