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Knowledge and Utilisation of Contraceptives among Female Undergraduate Nursing Students of Evangel University Akaeze, Ebonyi State
Authors
Nwafulundu, Ozioma Oluchi
RN, RM, RPHN, BNSc, PGD.Ed., MSc©
Department of Maternal and Child Health Nurisng,
David Umahi Federal University of Health Sceinces, Uburu, Ebonyi State.
Eseropheroghene, Dorcas O.,RN, RM, BNSc, MSc©
Department of Nursing Science
Evangel University, Akaeze.
Edeh, Calister Nwakaego
MSc Nursing, BSc Nursing, PDE, TRCN, RM, RN, PhD©
Department of Nursing Science
Evangel University, Akaeze.
Uzor, Chinaza Blessing, RN, RM, RPHN, BNSc
Department of Nursing Science
Evangel University, Akaeze.
Corresponding Author:
Nwafulundu, Ozioma Oluchi
ONLINE ISSN: 2645-2936
PRINT ISSN: 0795 – 6541
Editor-in-chief
Prof. (Mrs.) Ijeoma O. Ehiemere
University of Nigeria
Editorial Secretary
Dr. Goodluck I. Nshi
Aspen University, Denver, CO, U.S.A.
Assistant Editorial Secretary
Prof. Emmanuel Ejembi Anyebe
University of Ilorin, Nigeria
Institutional Affiliation(s)
Department of Maternal and Child Health Nursing, David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, Ebonyi State.
Department of Nursing Science, Evangel University, Akaeze.
Citation
Nwafulundu, O. O., Eseropheroghene, D. O., Edeh, C. Nwakaego, & Uzor, C. B. (2026). Knowledge and utilisation of contraceptives among female undergraduate nursing students of Evangel University Akaeze, Ebonyi State. The Nursing Scope, 9(1), 191- 203. ISSN: 2645-2936 (Online); 0795 – 6541 (Print). https://doi.org/10.59073/thenursingscope91/193-205
Keywords
Abstract
Background: Unintended pregnancy and low contraceptive utilisation remain important public health concerns among university students in Nigeria, including those in health-related programmes. Although awareness of contraceptive methods is generally high, utilisation is often constrained by behavioural, sociocultural, and religious factors.
Aim: To assess contraceptive knowledge and utilisation among female undergraduate nursing students at Evangel University, Akaeze, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Method: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 190 female undergraduate nursing students (response rate: 94.5%) selected through simple random sampling from a population of 336 students. Data were collected using a standardized self-administered questionnaire assessing socio-demographic characteristics, contraceptive knowledge, utilisation patterns, and influencing factors. Descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) were analysed using SPSS version 26.
Findings: The majority of respondents demonstrated good (43.2%) to excellent (32.1%) knowledge of contraceptives. However, utilisation was low, with 71.1% reporting no current contraceptive use. Among current users, contraceptive practice was largely inconsistent, with most reporting occasional or rare use. Pregnancy prevention was the most frequently reported motivation for use (40.0%), while prevention of sexually transmitted infections was less commonly cited (22.1%). Overall, the findings reveal a pronounced knowledge–practice gap.
Conclusion: Despite high levels of contraceptive knowledge among female nursing students, utilisation remains low and inconsistent, indicating that knowledge alone is insufficient to ensure behavioural adoption, particularly within a faith-based educational context.
Recommendation: Interventions should extend beyond knowledge dissemination to include value-clarification strategies, peer-led reproductive health education, and confidential, youth-friendly reproductive health services tailored to the sociocultural and institutional context of nursing students.