Knowledge, Attitudes And Practice Of Secondary School Students Towards The Use Of Modern Contraceptives In Singida Rural District.

ABSTRACT

The rate of sexual transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancies and expulsion from

schools remain high among secondary school students regardless of the provision of

family planning information and services. This calls for understanding of the

knowledge on contraceptive use and sexual behaviours among this high risk group.

The study, specifically intended to assess knowledge, attitude and practice of

secondary school students towards the use of modern contraceptives in Singida Rural

District, Singida in Tanzania. Data were collected through questionnaire survey,

focus group discussions and interviews. The study involved 94 studentsand 12 key

informants. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics in SPSS

while qualitative data were analysed manually using a content analysis approach.

Findings from the study revealed that the majority of the students (above 65%) are

aware of the basic information about condoms, sources of information on condoms,

importance of using condoms and how to use condoms. Condom acceptance and use

were low due to negative attitudes towards it, caused by socio-cultural norms and

religious beliefs.Poor access regarding location, institutional policy over

contraceptives andlack of programs to support the use of modern contraceptives.

Teachers and parents/guardians had inadequate knowledge and skills to communicate

sexuality messages Most secondary school students in Singida Rural District do not

utilize condoms despite adequate level of knowledge on them. Therefore, the study

recommends the government to establish different programs to address socio-cultural

norms that prevent adolescents from the use of condoms and to offers a range of

services to students such as sexuality education; contraceptive counselling and

provision and pregnancy testing and information on abortion.