Knowledge and attitude of medical undergraduate, interns and postgraduate students towards emergency contraception

Abstract

Background: Although India was the first country in the world to have national family planning policy, the acceptance of contraceptive methods has been unsatisfactory. Many women in their peak reproductive years, who wish to control their fertility, are not aware about the different methods of contraceptives available. Unregulated fertility results in unplanned pregnancies. Emergency contraceptive pills can avoid many such unplanned pregnancies. The study was to assess the knowledge and attitude about emergency contraception (EC) among the undergraduate, interns and postgraduate medical science university students.Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out among 180 medical students which include undergraduate, interns, and postgraduate students (60 from each group) studying at BJ Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra by a convenient sample method over a period of August 2016 to November 2016. Data were collected by pre-designed, pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire. Data was analyzed in the form of percentage and proportions and Chi square test was applied.Results: In this study, a total of 180 respondents, of which 110 (61.2%) were male and 70 (38.8%) were female. The knowledge about EC was highest (47.6%) among postgraduates in comparison to interns (43.3%) and undergraduate students (41.6%). Overall positive attitude toward EC was observed among 73.8% of the respondents.Conclusions: Considering the role of a medical graduate as counselor and health care provider, the technical knowledge about different aspects of EC among the study population was inadequate.