Study on some factors associated with knowledge attitudes and practices of emergency contraception in a Muslim Community in the MOH area of Akkaraipattu

Abstract

This study was a community based descriptive study. Required sample of eligible families were selected by using a two stage sampling technique. Probability proportional to size sampling and simple random sampling techniques were used in first and second stages of sampling respectively. Eligible family registers updated in 2003 were used as sampling frame. Interviewers administered questionnaires were used as study instrument. Trained interviewers were used to collect data and were supervised by the PI and by a Medical officer I in the field: This-study . revealed, that 83.8 percent of the respondents had poor knowledge on emergency contraception. 49.0 percent had a favorable attitude towards EC but only 8.5 percent ( 33) had practices the EC. Out of all the respondents 40.6 percent (181) were practicing a regular family planning method, which was given as the reason for their poor knowledge about EC. The majority of the respondents who used EC have used the higher dose of OCP as emergency contraceptive method. It is recommended that grater emphasis should be given to training of public health staff on emergency contraception after-assessing their knowledge on the same topic. The training of health volunteers also very important , as there are some vacant PHM areas. Implementing the education on EC through local newspaper also recommended. Knowledge and access to emergency contraception will reduce the problem of unwanted pregnancies and its complications in addition to the prevention of unwanted pregnancies by the use of family planning methods. This study was. a community based descriptive study. Required sample of eligible families were selected by using a two stage sampling technique. Probability proportional to size sampling and simple random sampling techniques were used in first and second stages of sampling respectively. Eligible family registers updated in 2003 were used as sampling frame. Interviewers administered questionnaires were used as study instrument. Trained interviewers were used to collect data and were supervised by the PI and by a Medical officer I in the field: This-study . revealed, that 83.8 percent of the respondents had poor knowledge on emergency contraception. 49.0 percent had a favorable attitude towards EC but only 8.5 percent ( 33) had practices the EC. Out of all the respondents 40.6 percent (181) were practicing a regular family planning method, which was given as the reason for their poor knowledge about EC. The majority of the respondents who used EC have used the higher dose of OCP as emergency contraceptive method. It is recommended that grater emphasis should be given to training of public health staff on emergency contraception after-assessing their knowledge on the same topic. The training of health volunteers also very important , as there are some vacant PHM areas. Implementing the education on EC through local newspaper also recommended. Knowledge and access to emergency contraception will reduce the problem of unwanted pregnancies and its complications in addition to the prevention of unwanted pregnancies by the use of family planning methods.