Knowledge, attitude and practice of family planning among senior high school students in north Gonder.

Sexual experience, knowledge, attitude and practice on contraception was studied among 991 senior high school students in north Gonder in May 1993 using anonymous questionnaire. Three-hundred-four students (30.7%) answered that they had experienced sexual intercourse. Out of 83 sexually active female students 25(30.1%) reported to have been pregnant. Only four students admitted to have had abortion. Seven-hundred-fifty (75.7%) students claimed that they know at least one method of modern contraception. Of the variables considered in the study reported knowledge of pills and positive attitude to contraception were significantly associated with modern contraceptive use. The most common reason for not using modern contraceptive methods among sexually active respondents was little or no knowledge of contraceptives followed by no access to contraceptives and harmful effects of contraceptives. It is recommended that family life education should be conducted in high schools. Counselling and clinical services on family planning in high schools and places where adolescents gather for recreation and other purposes may also be considered.