ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE AND UTILIZATION OF CONTRACEPTIVES AMONG TEACHERS IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ILESA METROPOLIS, NIGERIA: A PANACEA FOR WELLNESS

Abstract

The study focused on knowledge and utilization of contraceptives among public secondary school teachers in Ilesa metropolis. It assessed the level of knowledge of contraceptives among public secondary school teachers; it also ascertained the utilization of contraceptives among public secondary school teacher and finally identified the factors influencing the use of contraceptives among public secondary school teachers within the study area. These were with a view of improving the knowledge and use of contraceptives among secondary school teachers. The study employed a descriptive survey research design. The population of the study comprised all public secondary school teachers in Ilesa. Two hundred and six public secondary school teachers were randomly selected from the two local governments in Ilesa using simple random sampling technique. One instrument was used for data collection for the study. The instrument was titled “Contraceptives Knowledge and Utilization Assessment Questionnaire among Public Secondary School Teachers” (CKUAQPSST). Data collected were analyzed using frequency counts, simple percentages, mean and standard deviation. The results of the study revealed that the level of knowledge of contraceptives among public secondary school teachers within the study area is moderately high (67%). Result revealed further that the utilization level of contraceptives is low (40.3%). The result finally indicated that the most notable factors considered by the respondents to influence their utilization of contraceptives include spouse’s consent (71.4%), fear of side effect (70.9%) and marital status (67.0%). The study concluded that the knowledge of teachers about contraceptives is moderately high and utilization level of contraceptives is relatively low.