Knowledge of Emergency Contraceptives and Associated Factors among Female Students of Government High Schools, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Background: Emergency contraception (EC) is an effective contraceptive method or procedure used by adolescents to avert unwanted pregnancy following unprotected sexual intercourse, due to missing or non-use of regular contraceptives methods. Unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortions are major public health problems in limited-resource countries especially for adolescents. However, there are documented knowledge gaps on EC among female high school students in Ethiopia. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the knowledge of EC and associated factors among female students in government high schools in Bole Sub-city in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with simple random sampling to select 634 female students in 2/6 governmental high schools using a multi-stage sampling technique resulting. Data were collected by using a self-administered questionnaire and entered in EpiData version 3.1 and analyzed using STATA 15. Descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis were used to assess associations. Results: The magnitude of EC knowledge was 41.6% (95% CI: 37.77, 45.59) among female high school students. The level of knowledge towards EC is significantly associated with females ages 18 years and above [AOR = 3.88; 95 % CI (1.09, 13.85)], married [AOR = 3.64; 95 % CI (1.46, 9.04)], having boyfriend [AOR = 1.85; 95 % CI (1.15, 2.99)]; having discussion about reproductive health (RH) issues with their parents [AOR = 1.80; 95 % CI(1.24, 2.61)]; and having sexual intercourse history [AOR = 5.22, 95 % CI (1.42,19.24)]. Conclusion And Recommendation: The study documents an inadequate level of knowledge towards EC among female students in two government high schools in Ethiopia. There is a need to educate all female high school students about EC as it helps them prevent unintended pregnancies and empower them to make informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health rights.