Awareness and Attitudes Toward Emergency Contraceptives Among College Students in South India

Abstract

Background In India every year, a large number of pregnancies are unplanned resulting in unsafe abortion. This has tremendous implications both on health and survival of women. Usage of emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) could be a solution provided the usage is as per guidelines and social issues do not cause objections. Aim This study was done to assess the awareness and attitudes regarding ECPs. Methods Data were collected using self-administered questionnaire from the university students. Results Out of 449 students, 384(85.5 %) had heard about ECPs. The commonest source of information was television 299(77.9 %). Only 128(33.3 %) students knew that ECPs do not help in prevention of STDs. 209(54.4 %) participants knew the correct time frame for taking ECPs. 109(28.4 %) were unaware of its side effects. Only 149(33.2 %) had received reproductive health education (RHE) in the past. The awareness level of students about ECPs was moderate among 231(60.2 %) participants. Awareness was significantly more among males (p = 0.013), students with science background (p = 0.001) and those who had RHE previously (p = 0.043). 219(57 %) had average level of perception toward ECPs. 254(66.2 %) participants favored prescription before procuring ECPs from drug stores. 261(68 %) participants favored information about ECPs to be given in educational institutions, and a majority, 186(48.4 %), said they would recommend ECPs to their friends. Average-to-good perception about 123ECPs was seen in significantly greater proportion of females (p = 0.034). Conclusion RHE is must at educational institutions so as to promote awareness and to remove misconceptions about ECPs among youth. This would help users in preventing unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions.

Contraceptive practices and awareness about emergency contraception among women attending a tertiary care hospital of Delhi, India

“…17,18 The awareness about ECs was reported to be higher (48-85.7%) among other studies. 19,20 The reasons could be the higher literacy rates among participants in other studies (participants were college students and nurses). Commonest sources of knowledge of almost half of the participants were informal sources like were friends, relatives and spouse, who may be unreliable and incorrect.…”

“…When asked about the purpose of using ECs, 99 (87.6%) said that it was to avoid unwanted pregnancy, 19 (Table 2). Three questions were asked to assess the attitude of participants towards the use of ECs.…”

“…Commonest sources of knowledge of almost half of the participants were informal sources like were friends, relatives and spouse, who may be unreliable and incorrect. 19 Other studies have also reported them as most common source of information on ECs. 20,21 Even if few people knew about ECs, the knowledge they had about them was limited.…”

“…Other studies have also reported poor knowledge about ECs among participants. 18,19,22 The ignorance about ECs has not spared even the health care providers and they have reported poor knowledge and over-estimation of side-effects. [22][23][24] It is estimated that correct information and use of ECs could prevent almost two-thirds of induced abortions.…”

“…A study done by Joseph et al among college students also reported that half of the participants were willing to recommend ECs to family and friends. 19 A review of literature reported that majority of women in low-income countries have never heard of emergency contraception, and many providers have negative attitudes toward providing emergency contraception. 27 The right attitude will come with right information.…”