International Journal of TROPICAL DISEASE & Health

Background: Unwanted pregnancies in sexually active teenagers give headaches to many parents and are devastating for the girls themselves. The use of hormonal contraception (HC) is an issue, but the promotion of HC at this age is perhaps a complex issue.

Objective: Evaluate knowledge and practice of HC among high school girls in Rwanda.

Methods: 134 girls aged 15 to 19 from two high schools responded confidentially to a standard open questionnaire on their knowledge and practice of HC.

Results: More than 87% of those surveyed had heard of HC, but not everyone could tell the exact role of taking birth control pills. The main source of information on contraception was the media and health care providers, while parents and the role of school education were negligible. About 10.4% of respondents confirmed having used HC on their own initiative or under pressure from their partners. The reason girls practice sex at this age is mainly poverty, the need to live luxuriously and culture. More than half expect to use contraception if the cost is affordable and they have complete information on side effects and how to use it.

Conclusion: A marginal group of schoolchildren practice HC. They need good information about it. However, there is still controversy in Africa over whether to promote the use of contraception at the secondary level. After all, adequate educational intervention through other means of reducing unwanted pregnancy rates among sexually active adolescents is of great importance.