Knowledge and Parity: Perspectives of Usage of Emergency Contraceptive Pills among Women of a Rural Area of Delhi.

CONTEXT

Correct use of emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) may prevent up to 95% of unwanted pregnancies which may significantly decrease unsafe abortions and maternal mortality.

AIMS

Assessment of knowledge and use of ECPs among women and to explore factors associated with them.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a facility-based cross-sectional study. Data were collected using a prestructured, pretested questionnaire from 381 reproductive age women (15-49 years) selected by systematic random sampling. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 16 and Epi info (version 7.0.) were used for all statistical analyses. Descriptive analysis was performed, and results were expressed in terms of frequencies and percentages. The Chi-square and Fisher's exact test were used as tests of significance in univariate analysis. Determinants of use of ECPs were identified using logistic regression.

RESULTS

Of 381 women interviewed, awareness level of ECPs (ever heard about ECPs) was found to be 34% ( = 128). Ever use of emergency contraception was reported by 38 (9.7%). Age (odds ratio [OR] = 3.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.88-4.87]), education (OR = 0.086, 95% CI [0.047-0.158]), husband's education (OR = 0.11, 95% CI [0.067-0.187]), socioeconomic status (OR = 6.14, 95% CI [3.28-11.51]), and family status (OR = 2.6, 95% CI [1.59-4.24]) were found to be significantly associated with the use of emergency contraceptives.

CONCLUSIONS

The study identified that most respondents lack adequate knowledge about ECPs, and ever use of ECPs was very low. Factors that were associated with the use of ECPs were age, literacy, socioeconomic status, and knowledge about the method. Creating a sustainable awareness on ECPs and their use may serve them with power to control their parity.