Abstract

KNOWLEDGE, PRACTICES AND PERCEPTION OF EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTIVE PILLS AMONG MARRIED WOMEN IN COMMUNITY

Jainam V. Shah*, Jolly M. Patel, Kalyani N. Patni, Sneha Chacko

ABSTRACT

Aim & Objectives: To gather the information regarding the knowledge, practice and perception about use of Emergency Contraceptive Pills (ECP). Materials and Methods: An extensive 6 months prospective and observational survey on knowledge, perception and practice was conducted among 107 married females from the residential areas of Ahmedabad, Gujarat. A self-administered questionnaire was prepared in English and regional language (Gujarati). The forms were filled by married women with prior information regarding the survey. In order to maintain the confidentiality no personal data of patients were collected. Data analysis was carried out using PASW (SPSS Inc.) software. Results: Mean age of the female participants was 34 years. Most commonly used contraceptive methods were pills (43%). 76% women used Emergency Contraceptive Pills (ECP‟s) and it was used mainly because the timing was miscalculated (rhythm) (33%). More than half (60%) of the respondents knew that ECPs should be used immediately after unprotected sex. 50% of participants knew that ECPs and abortion pills were not similar. Moreover 48% of participants believed that ECP‟s are effective in preventing pregnancy within 24 hours and 42% believed that this pills may lead to infertility. Information regarding ECPs was obtained mostly from health center (52%). 82% participants wished to receive information on contraception from primary healthcare provider. Conclusion: Certain improvement in the knowledge, perception and practice regarding emergency contraceptives pills can be useful. Therefore public information strategy needs to be enhanced to generate awareness and bring attitudinal change among married females for emergency contraceptive pills.

Keywords: Emergency Contraceptives Pills: Knowledge: Practice: Perception: Gujarat.