title: Provider knowledge about emergency contraception in Ghana.
abstract: In 1996, the Ministry of Health in Ghana included emergency contraception (EC) in its newly issued National Reproductive Health Service Policy and Standards. A short survey was conducted in the summer of 1997 to evaluate health providers' knowledge of EC. Of the 325 providers interviewed, about one-third (34%) had heard of EC. No provider had sufficient knowledge to prescribe EC correctly. A well-coordinated training programme for providers will have to precede successful introduction of EC in Ghana. Moreover, a dedicated product may be critical for the successful introduction of EC in a country like Ghana, where provider knowledge is low.
authors.affiliation: Family Health International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Steiner
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Raymond
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Attafuah
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hays
mesh_terms: D003281:Contraceptives, Postcoital; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D003281:Contraceptives, Postcoital