The effect of an educational guidelines on childbearing women’s knowledge, attitude and their intention regarding emergency contraceptive use

Abstract

Background: Emergency contraceptive methods offer women safe means of preventing unwanted pregnancies. Providing women with knowledge about EC will improve their understanding and cooperation which in turn can affect their attitude towards EC and hence increase their utilization of these methods. Aim of the study: to assess the effect of an educational guidelines on childbearing women's knowledge, attitude and their intention regarding emergency contraceptive use. Subjects and Method: A Quazi experimental research design was used in this study. This study was implemented at the family planning clinic in the New General Mansoura hospital. A convenient sample of 87 women at the childbearing age were recruited according to inclusion criteria. Two tools of data collection were used: Tool (1): Sociodemographic and reproductive history interview schedule and tool (II): An attitudinal assessment scale. Results: There was a highly statistical significant increase in the total knowledge score immediately after intervention and during the follow up, where P <0.001. Positive total attitude increased from 10 % to 82.8% after the intervention, while negative total attitude decreased from 90 % to 17.2% respectively and the difference was highly statistically significant where p<0.001. Moreover, about two third of women (63.2 %) intended to use EC after the intervention. Conclusion: There was a lack of knowledge about the emergency contraceptive methods among the participants which in turn affected their attitude toward using it. A significant improvement occurred in the total score of knowledge and attitude post intervention and women's intention to use emergency contraceptive methods increased after implementing the educational guidelines. Recommendations: Undertaking information /education and communication programs to raise women's awareness regarding different emergency contraceptive methods.