Contraceptive Use Among Female Undergraduates: Prevalence, Patterns, and Barriers at Edo State University, Iyamho Nigeria

Introduction: Contraceptive use remains a cornerstone of reproductive health, particularly among young women in tertiary institutions who face the dual challenges of unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Despite increasing awareness, contraceptive uptake among female undergraduates in Nigeria remains suboptimal. This study assessed the prevalence, patterns, and barriers to contraceptive use among female undergraduates at Edo State University, Iyamho, Nigeria Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted involving 350 female undergraduate students selected through stratified random sampling across academic levels (100–600 level). Data collection was carried out using a structured, selfadministered questionnaire covering socio-demographic characteristics, contraceptive use, and perceived barriers. Data were analyzed using STATA version 16.0. Associations between variables were tested using chi-square, with a p-value 0.05 considered statistically significant Results: The mean age of respondents was 22.2 ± 2.0 years; most were between 18 and 21 years (61%) and unmarried (97%). Only 21% had ever used contraceptives, with just 8% being current users. Common methods included condoms (46%), natural methods (44%), and emergency contraception (42%). Long-acting methods were rarely used. The primary motivation for use was pregnancy prevention (42%), while discontinuation was largely due to side effects (31%) and cost (18%). Alarmingly, 76% were unaware of where to access contraceptives. Major barriers included fear of side effects (54%), poor access (51%), inadequate information (49%), and cultural or religious beliefs. Age, marital status, and relationship status significantly influenced use (p 0.05). Conclusion: While awareness of contraceptive methods is high among female undergraduates, actual utilisation remains relatively low. Addressing misinformation, improving access, and delivering youth-focused reproductive health programmes are essential to enhancing uptake.