Knowledge of, attitudes toward, and barriers to the practice of emergency contraception among women in Sikkim, India.

OBJECTIVE

To assess knowledge, attitudes, and barriers associated with the practice of emergency contraception (EC) among women from the state of Sikkim, India.

METHODS

Between November 15, 2011, and June 14, 2012, trained female medical officers and interns used a standard questionnaire to interview 1474 women of reproductive age attending 2 outpatient gynecology clinics.

RESULTS

Of those who agreed to participate, 40.6% had ever heard of EC, and EC awareness was particularly low (6.4%) among illiterate women. The most common sources of EC information were electronic media (77.1%), friends and relatives (33.8%), and health personnel (30.4%). Overall, 71.9% of the participants who had heard of EC did not know the timeframe when it should be used. Only 19.6% of the women who had ever heard of EC had adequate knowledge of it, and only 15.1% of these (or 6.1% of the total sample) had ever used EC. The most common barriers to using EC were inadequate knowledge of it, its perceived non-availability, considering it an abortifacient, and religious beliefs.

CONCLUSION

Knowledge and practice of EC was low among the women interviewed. There is a need for intensive information EC on the available methods and their correct timing.