Abstract

In almost all societies in the world there is an increase in sexual activity among young persons (10 - 24 years). There is a need for contraceptive use among them to prevent high risk unintended pregnancies.

This study was carried out to determine the contraceptive prevalence among young women in Nigeria. The study population was 832 young women between the ages of 15 and 24 years.

Only 11.1% of the respondents had ever used contraceptives although 63.2% of them had had sexual intercourse. Contraceptive usage was significantly higher (p < 0.05) among the single sexually active women (38.5%) than among the married women (7.7%). Only 7.3% of respondents are currently using a contraceptive method. The main methods in use were condoms and pills.

There is an unmet need for contraceptives among young women in Nigeria. It is necessary to improve these young women's abilities to protect themselves against unwanted pregnancies.