Table 3 Knowledge related responses of college female students, Gondar City, Northwest Ethiopia, 2023 (n = 814)

Heard about EC

No

61

7.49

Yes

753

92.51

Source of information

Media

222

29.48

Health institution

88

11.69

During education

218

28.95

Friend

224

29.75

Other

1

0.13

Which type of EC do you know?

Loop

261

32.06

Injectable

99

12.16

Pill

267

32.80

Condom

26

3.19

I don’t know

161

19.78

When should be ECPs taken

Any time Before sex

122

14.99

After unprotected sex Within 72 h

353

43.37

After unprotected sex within 5 days

56

6.88

Any time after sex

78

9.58

I don’t know

205

25.18

When should be IUCD used as EC after unprotected sex?

Within 120 h.

238

29.24

After 120 h.

154

18.92

Any time

110

13.51

I don’t know

312

38.33

Mechanism of action for EC

Prevent implantation

198

24.32

Prevent ovulation

157

19.29

Induce abortion

80

9.83

I don’t know

379

46.56

Situation/s in which EC should be taken to prevent unintended pregnancy

When forced to have sex

204

25.06

When other methods have failed

51

6.27

When there is sex without any contraceptives methods

162

19.90

I don’t know

397

48.77

Effectiveness of ECPs in preventing unwanted Pregnancy

100%

50

6.14

75–85%

374

45.95

50%

101

12.41

< 30%

51

6.27

I don’t now

238

29.24

Does EC prevent STI/HIV?

No

668

82.06

Yes

146

17.94