Publication:

Emergency contraception: knowledge, attitude and practices among women in South Delhi, India

Background Objective of the study was to assess the awareness of emergency contraception (EC) amongst women attending the routine antenatal outpatient services.

Methods It was a hospital based cross sectional study for one year. 550 women were enrolled in the study after written informed consent. Socio demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude and practice towards EC were analyzed.

Results Majority of the women were between 20 to 29 years, and had a basic level of education. 60.4% women were housewives, and 70.5% of them had an urban place of residence. 94% women knew about some method of contraception. Only 34.5% women knew EC; amongst them 54.2% knew about EC pills and 12.5% had used it at least once. 40.5% women knew that there are methods of EC but did not know how what these methods were. 67.9%of women did not know how long after unprotected intercourse EC should be taken.

Conclusions Majority of the women were between 20 to 29 years, and had a basic level of education. 60.4% women were housewives, and 70.5% of them had an urban place of residence. 94% women knew about some method of contraception. Only 34.5% women knew EC; amongst them 54.2% knew about EC pills and 12.5% had used it at least once. 40.5% women knew that there are methods of EC but did not know how what these methods were. 67.9% of women did not know how long after unprotected intercourse EC should be taken.