Emergency contraception in the context of marriage in Upper Egypt.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the degree of knowledge, perception, and practice of emergency contraception (EC) within marital relations in Egypt.


METHODS
The present study was a pilot cross-sectional survey. Eligible participants were randomly selected from 4 governorates in Upper Egypt. A questionnaire was designed by the investigators and administered to an unselected sample of healthcare providers and potential users of EC. The questionnaire collected information in 4 domains: demographics; knowledge about EC; attitudes toward EC; and practice of EC in Egypt.


RESULTS
In total, 240 healthcare providers and 60 potential users of EC completed the questionnaire. Approximately 85% of healthcare providers and 30% of potential users had heard about EC. A similar proportion of study participants said that EC methods are needed. Only 32.7% of healthcare providers and very few potential users had actually used EC.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a need for EC in Egypt. However, a big gap in knowledge leads to nonuse or incorrect use of EC and negative attitude toward it. If health service planners and policy makers could fill this gap, a considerable decline in the prevalence of unwanted pregnancy may be achieved by using EC.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt. omshaaban2000@yahoo.com
Omar M
OM
Shaaban
Mohamed M F
MM
Fathalla
Ahmed Y
AY
Shahin
Ahmed
A
Nasr
D000328:Adult; D044363:Contraception, Postcoital / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004534:Egypt; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011275:Pregnancy, Unwanted / Q000187:drug effects / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires