Knowledge of emergency contraception among married women of reproductive age in a rural-based teaching hospital of Nagpur, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Objective: To assess the awareness and level of knowledge toward emergency contraception among married women in the reproductive age group. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted employing prestructured questionnaire, which included information about age, occupation, income, education, obstetric profile, knowledge and use of emergency contraception. Results: The average age of women included in the study was 24.6 years. About 33% of women knew about emergency contraception. They mainly belonged to educated category, working class and with income group more than Rs. 5000 per month. There are about 5% of women who know about emergency contraception and have used it in the past. Conclusion: There is a need to popularize emergency contraception in India for its better usages among women to avoid unwanted pregnancies and abortions.