title: Adolescents' Knowledge, Attitude and Utilization of Emergency Contraceptive Pills in Nigeria's Niger Delta Region.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Risky sexual activity among adolescents is on the increase and contraceptive prevalence rate is low which is evidenced by high rate of teenage pregnancy in Bayelsa state, Nigeria. This study assesses the adolescents' knowledge, attitude and utilization of emergency contraceptive pills (ECP) in Amassoma Community, Bayelsa State, in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was a descriptive cross-sectional research design. A purposive sampling technique was used to select a sample of 220 respondents from the target population. Data were collected using a self-structured questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data generated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Majority of the respondents had high level of knowledge and positive attitude towards emergency contraceptive pills but had low level of utilization. Concerns about what others may say, parental attitude, contraceptive availability, contraceptive accessibility, and peer influences were the major factors that influenced the utilization of contraceptive pills. There was no significant relationship between knowledge and utilization of emergency contraceptive pills, as well as level of knowledge and their utilization of emergency contraceptive pills.
  Adolescents in the study were more likely to use emergency contraceptive pills, if parents and others reaction to adolescents' contraceptive use were positive about those. Health care professionals, especially nurses, should organize enlightenment programs to educate adolescents, parents and the public on the benefits of adolescents' contraceptives use, especially ECP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, NIGERIA.
authors.forename: Olayinka A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Onasoga
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, NIGERIA.
authors.forename: Joel Adeleke
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Afolayan
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, NIGERIA.
authors.forename: Tariebi Florence
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Asamabiriowei
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, NIGERIA.
authors.forename: Umar Nda
authors.initials: UN
authors.lastname: Jibril
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, NIGERIA.
authors.forename: Abubakar Ayinla
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Imam
keywords: Adolescents; Attitude; Emergency Contraceptive Pills; Family Planning; Knowledge; Utilization