Awareness of emergency contraception among first year and final year medical under: Graduates of a private medical college in HP

Abstract

Introduction: Emergency contraception is the last chance to prevent unintended pregnancy. In countries where emergency contraception (EC) is offered, its availability and use vary widely due to factors such as regulations and policies regarding the method, providers and women's understanding.Objectives: 1. To study the awareness of emergency contraception among MBBS students. 2. To compare the awareness among males and females. Methodology: Questionnaire based, cross-sectional, prospective study carried out and analysed by Chi square test and percentage. Results: Almost all the students were aware about EC, but their knowledge was incomplete and inaccurate. Final year students and girls were more aware as compared to first year students and boys. Conclusion:Women and teenagers must be provided with complete knowledge and over the counter availability of EC pills. It's the need of the hour as the age of first contact is decreasing.

Awareness and attitude towards contraception among medical students

“…Awareness about EC was nil in a study done by Monika Gupta et al [15] at in a population of female of age group of 18-49 yrs attending OPD at a tertiary care centre in Himachal Pradesh. Knowledge about correct timing of ECP was 83.5%, similar to Monika Jindal et al [16] (78%) & Archana et al [17] (82%) study's pattern. EC pill can be taken several times and overall correct response was 77.5% in contrast to study conducted in Maharashtra only 25.5% responded correctly [13] .…”