Awareness, and use of and barriers to family planning services among female university students in Lesotho

Abstract

Background. Unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections among young women can be prevented through effective use of contraception. Unmet need for contraception in developing world and rates of unintended pregnancy among young women is high.
Aim. To assess the level of awareness of contraceptives and utilization of family planning services among young women and barriers that hinders effective use of such services.
Methods: In a quantitative descriptive survey 360 female undergraduate students of the National University of Lesotho, Roma, Lesotho respondent to a hand delivered self-administered questionnaire.
Results: Awareness of family planning is high (98.3%). Condom is the most commonly known and used family planning method. Level of sexual experience and contraceptive prevalence is high. Access to services is good but there are misconceptions. Married status is associated with current use, positive perception on health benefit while formal teaching on family planning is associated with misconceptions.
Conclusion: The level of awareness and utilization of family planning services is high among female students of University of Lesotho. There is the need to introduce family planning teaching that is based on accurate knowledge to school curriculum.