title: Knowledge and use of and opportunities for emergency contraception in Northern Haiti.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the knowledge and experience of, and desire for, emergency contraception (EC) in postpartum women in Haiti, and to determine the knowledge and practices of EC providers.
  
  
  METHODS
  As part of a larger postpartum family planning study, 6 focus groups were conducted with postpartum women (n=33), 3 were conducted with providers (n=22), and a questionnaire was given to postpartum women (n=250).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 249 women who completed the survey, 145 (58.2%) were aware of the concept of EC as an emergency measure in the postcoital period. Of these, 130 (89.7%) had knowledge of traditional methods only. Twenty-eight (11.2%) women had used some form of EC in the past, but only 2 (0.8%) reported ever using a modern form of EC. Providers reported that EC was offered to women only in cases of sexual assault. Their impression was that there was no demand for EC.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Awareness and use of EC is low in the context of high unmet need. The results demonstrate a need for improved education and provision of modern effective EC as part of the constellation of family planning choices.
authors: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA. elathro@emory.edu
authors: Eva
authors: E
authors: Lathrop
authors: Youseline
authors: Y
authors: Telemaque
authors: Lisa
authors: L
authors: Haddad
authors: Rob
authors: R
authors: Stephenson
authors: Peggy
authors: P
authors: Goedken
authors: Carrie
authors: C
authors: Cwiak
authors: Denise J
authors: DJ
authors: Jamieson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D044363:Contraception, Postcoital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005193:Family Planning Services / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006205:Haiti; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008519:Medicine, Traditional / Q000379:methods; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011275:Pregnancy, Unwanted / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult