Emergency contraception: How close, How far? A study about knowledge attitude and practices among females attending immunization OPD at tertiary care hospital in Mumbai

Emergency contraception refers to contraceptive method that can be used by woman in the first few days following unprotected intercourse to prevent an unwanted pregnancy. It is the only contraceptive method that can be used after intercourse. Emergency contraceptive methods are effective and safe for the majority of woman who may need them as well as being simple to use.

The study was carried out in hundred women attending immunization O.P.D. within reproductive age group. All of them agreed to participate. They were interviewed personally through a pretested questionnaire. Pregnant Women and who have got operated for tubectomies were excluded from the study. All other women who are leading reproductively active life using or not using any kind of contraception were included in the study.

Out of the 28% who know about the emergency contraception all know one of the brand of E.C. PILLS being marketed and only 7 (25%) of them were knowing how to use it. Only one (1%) woman has ever used E.C. pills. None of the women was aware about cu T being used as emergency contraception.

As it is estimated that, in India, every year, an additional 5–6 million abortions are conducted by private practitioners. Majority of these cases are done in rural areas having inadequate facilities and hence done in an unhygienic and unscientific way. Despite the fact that MTP has been legally approved in India for more than three decades, its services are not easily accessible to majority of the women, particularly in the rural areas. Information and education about emergency contraception may reduce this load of maternal mortality and morbidity.