Knowledge attitude and practice (KAP) of emergency contraceptive pills among women of reproductive age group attending AIIMS OPD Raipur (C.G.)

Background: India's population as per 2011 census was 1.028 billion. Even though a wide variety of contraceptive choices are available in India, contraceptive prevalence in the country is only 56% as per the WHO global health statistics 2012. Most couples in India do not want to use a contraceptive method on a long-term basis hence unwanted and unplanned pregnancies are common. Emergency contraceptive Pills are largely underutilized in India resulting in women resorting to unsafe or illegal abortions contributing 8% to the cause of maternal mortality in India, which if taken correctly can reduce the risk of an unintended pregnancy to the range of 75-79%. The objective of the study is to assess knowledge, attitude& practice (preference &experience) of emergency contraceptive pills among women of child bearing age. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 328 females of reproductive age group. Data was collected using an anonymous pretested structured questionnaire. Results: Out of 328 subjects 300 women gave consent for the study. Around 56% women had heard of emergency contraceptive pills but only 19.3% had ever used it. Detailed and specific knowledge of ECPs are poor and misinformation is high. This was because main source of information was through electronic media which are unreliable and gives limited information. Conclusion: The study concludes that in spite of having awareness about EC Pills there is great knowledge and attitude gap in the community. Public information strategy needs to be devised to generate awareness and bring attitudinal change among females for emergency contraceptive pills. Support from women advocacy groups is thus necessary and their views, apprehensions, doubts and perceptions have to be adequately addressed to make their occasional use to prevent unwanted pregnancy is likely to bring down the load on the therapeutic abortion services.