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- Title
Knowledge, Awareness and Practices regarding Emergency contraception in Undergraduate students: An Observational study.
- Authors
Choudhary, Devyani; Jain, Pooja; Khan, Rukhsheen; Patil, Anjali
- Abstract
Introduction: Unintended pregnancy remains a major challenge to the reproductive health of women especially in the developing countries. It is a major reason for unsafe abortion, a major contributor to maternal mortality. Emergency contraception (EC) is use of drug or device to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse. Unlike other regular methods of contraception which are taken prior to the sexual act, EC is used after the unprotected sex. Aims & Objectives: This study was designed with an aim to assess the knowledge, awareness and practice of emergency contraception among medical undergraduates. Objectives • To assess the gap between knowledge, perception and practice of emergency contraception among medical undergraduates • To educate the young medical undergraduate to implement the knowledge into practice. Material and Method: After approval from IEC, a questionnaire based cross sectional observational study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Index Medical College Hospital & Research Center, Indore to evaluate the knowledge, awareness and practice of emergency contraception among 400 medical undergraduate students from 1st to 4th year and internship; enrolled in various medical courses (MBBS & BDS) in the university were selected in this study which was conducted over a period of six months from October 2023 to March 2024. Participants qualifying the inclusion criteria were enrolled and interviewed using pretested semi structured questionnaire to assess their knowledge, awareness and practice with emergency contraception. Data was analysed using SPSS version 20.0 software (SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA). Data were presented as percentages and tables. Association between variables was tested using the χ2 test. Results: A response rate of 73% was observed with majority of participants being females (53.55). About 18.5% of the participants had knowledge about using oral contraceptive pills (OCP) and intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCD) as EC. 70% were aware that only OCP is used as an EC, while 18.5% said both OCP and IUCD can be used. 62.5% knew the timing of EC use within 72 hours of intercourse. 88% knew all situations under which an EC can be taken. The batch-wise difference in knowledge and attitude component was statistically significant, but not for attitude. Five participants had a sexual experience, and three out of them had used an EC. Conclusion: The study revealed that there is a gap in knowledge, attitude and practices about emergency contraception in young college going students, leading to incorrect practices and unintended pregnancies ending up in abortions. The medical teaching system should address the lack of comprehensive knowledge about EC among future healthcare professionals, as EC is crucial for preventing pregnancy after unprotected sex or contraceptive accidents.
- Subjects
UNDERGRADUATES; TEENAGE pregnancy; UNSAFE sex; CONTRACEPTION; UNPLANNED pregnancy; INTRAUTERINE contraceptives; ABORTION
- Publication
Journal of Cardiovascular Disease Research (Journal of Cardiovascular Disease Research), 2024, Vol 15, Issue 4, p1486
- ISSN
0975-3583
- Publication type
Article