Metronidazole (Flagyl) use as an emergency contraceptive and associated factors among University female students in Dodoma region Tanzania: A descriptive crossectional study

Abstract

Abstract Background: Metronidazole is known for its therapeutic effect as antibacterial and anti-parasitic. However, its toxicity on the reproductive system remains not well studied. Its use in rodents was associated with toxic effects on the reproductive system, including hormonal alterations, reduced number of fertile cells, and effects on implantations. Its use at a therapeutic dose among humans has been associated with an increased risk of spontaneous abortion. The effects on the reproductive system in humans may result in misconceptions about contraceptive effects hence sexually active individuals like students who, for any reason, fail to access safe contraceptive services use any possible methods to protect them from conception. This study explored if Metronidazole (Flagyl) is unofficially used as an emergency contraceptive among female university students and its associated factors for possible interventions. Methods: This quantitative cross-sectional study involved 470 participants conveniently recruited from three educational institutions in the Dodoma Municipal, Dodoma region. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 25, descriptive and analytical statistical analysis was done to determine the association and relationship between the study variables, and p<0.05 was used to determine statistical significance. Results: The study revealed exciting findings: among the participants with experience using emergency contraceptives, 169(62.4%) reported using Metronidazole as an emergency contraceptive. Notably, 345(73.4%) of the study participants said they had ever heard someone use Metronidazole for contraception, especially their peers. Furthermore, an increase in the year of study was significantly associated with reduced use of Metronidazole as an emergency contraceptive (B= [-0.45], p= [0.02]). Furthermore, an increase in age, studying in non-medical college/university, the experience of using contraceptive methods, and hearing someone ever used Metronidazole were found to be positively associated with its use as an emergency contraceptive, although not statistically significant. Conclusion: Metronidazole was found to be used as an emergency contraceptive in high doses, different factors associated with its use, and reasons influencing its use. Further research may be done to explore the toxicological effect of high doses of Metronidazole as a contraception in human subjects.