Emergency Contraceptive Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices in Women Presenting to Family Planning Outpatient Clinic in Central India

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective The aim of this study is to determine the degree of knowledge, attitude practices, and perceived needs about emergency contraception in women attending family planning clinic in Central India and to investigate the factors that militates against its use. Methods This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was carried out among women attending family planning clinic in Central India from April 2009 to March 2010. One thousand and forty-two women (aged 18-35 years) participated in this study and answered the questions presented in the self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of demographic information and the awareness, knowledge and use of emergency contraception. Completed questionnaires were collected before the women left the clinic and the data analyzed. Results Overall, 149 (14.3%) women were aware of Emergency Contraceptive pills and among those, 125 (83.9%)women correctly identified 72 hours as the time limit for the methods to be used. More than half (61.8%) did not know correct dosage and 68.7% were unaware about the side effects of the available post-coital pill. Only 80 (7.7%) women had previously used emergency contraceptive pills. None of them was aware about use of intrauterine contraceptive device as emergency contraception. Emergency contraception awareness was positively associated with age, education and level of monthly income. Conclusion Awareness about emergency contraception was very low, especially regarding correct timing of its use and its side effects. Public information strategy needs to be devised and widely publicized so that awareness about Emergency contraception increases in India. How to cite this article Kaushal M, Maru L, Dave A. Emergency Contraceptive Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices in Women Presenting to Family Planning Outpatient Clinic in Central India. J South Asian Feder Obst Gynae 2014;6(1): 21-24.