Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Reproductive Aged Women regarding Emergency Contraceptives in Tertiary Hospital

Abstract

Background: In Nepal maternal mortality rate is very high more than one in five women die from pregnancy or pregnancy related causes. Emergency contraception is a method used to avoid pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse unlike the regular methods of contraception that are taken before sexual contact. Oral contraceptive pills and intrauterine contraceptive devices are mainly used as emergency contraceptives. The aim of this study was to assess knowledge, attitude and practice of emergency contraceptive among women

Methods: A descriptive cross sectional research design was carried out .Non probability purposive sampling was used to select sample which was 174 reproductive aged women attending family planning clinic of TUTH. Data was collected by interview using semi structured interview questionnaire. Data analysis was done by descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS version 17.0.

Results: Based on findings majority 67.24% of respondent had knowledge to prevent unintended pregnancy, regarding practice only 13% used emergency contraceptive (EC) correctly within 72 hours of unsafe intercourse. 90.80% of respondents used family planning (FP) methods to reduce unwanted pregnancy. 47.13% responded correctly as EC is not a method of abortion and among all respondents 43.68% did abortion for unwanted pregnancy. Maximum 82.76% respondents had positive attitude towards EC.

Conclusion: The study findings showed majority of respondents had knowledge to prevent unintended and unwanted pregnancy; but only few percentage practice EC correctly within 72 hours of unsafe intercourse. Similarly majority of respondents had positive attitude towards EC, hence IEC prograamme should be planned to provide information regarding prevention of unintended pregnancy among reproductive aged women.