Nargis Iqbal, Khulood Mukhtar, Nadia Khurshid, Nazia Nawaz, Mehreen Nisar, Faiza Nisar, Amna Rafique.
Emergency contraception: still a challenge.
Pak J Surg Jan ;37(4):304-8.

Background: Maternal mortality ratio (MMR) in Pakistan is quite high 186 deaths / 100,000 live births, Provincial and Federal Government trying to reduce it 70 deaths / 100,000 live births up to 2030. This is only possible by reducing unwanted pregnancies and educating women regarding Emergency Contraception. Objectives: To assess knowledge, mental attitude and drilling of emergency contraception in women of reproductive age. Material and Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was carried out in Obstetrics and Gynecology department, of Al-Aleem Medical College attached with Gulab Devi Educational Complex Lahore, from 5th February 2021 to 5th June 2021 after approval from IRB. A total of 200 willing married and child bearing women coming to family panning/ Gynae OPD for routine check -up were recruited in the study, unmarried and unwilling were excluded, nonprobability convince sampling technique was used. Data was collected by using 21 items self administered questionnaire to access knowledge, mental attitude and drilling regarding EC. Results: 200 women were included in this study. Majority of the women 56.50% were between 26-35 years, mean age was 30.5+-1.5 years. Among these 53.50% were multigravida and 34.50% were grand-multigravida. Major chunk 64.50% was under matric /matric, only16.50% were graduate and 19.50% had technical education. 68% were housewives. Almost all the women belong to low middle and poor class. The questionnaire submitted to women attending obstetric and gynaecological department showed prevalence of knowledge, mental attitude and drilling about emergency contraception. P-Value was statistically significant in mental attitude of the women towards EC < than 0.05 was found in 62.5%. Conclusion: Attitude of the reproductive women was favorable towards EC but their there is a clear gape in knowledge and drilling, so there is a dire need to educate women regarding available methods and its proper utility. Emphasis should be given to support and strengthen the Lady Health Program which was started in 2012 in Pakistan to enhance the knowledge and drilling of EC.

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