title: Knowledge and attitude of medical undergraduate, interns and postgraduate students in India towards emergency contraception.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although India was the first country in the world to have national family planning policy, the acceptance of contraceptive methods has been unsatisfactory. Many women in their peak reproductive years, who wish to control their fertility, are not aware about the different methods of contraceptives available. Unregulated fertility results in unplanned pregnancies. Emergency contraceptive pills can avoid many such unplanned pregnancies.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The study was to assess the knowledge and attitude about emergency contraception (EC) among the undergraduate, interns and postgraduate medical science university students.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was carried out among 180 medical students which include undergraduate (final year MBBS), interns, and postgraduate students (60 from each group) studying at Rural Medical College and Pravara Rural Hospital of Pravara Institute of Medical Sciences University of central India by a convenient sample method over a period of February 2009 to May 2009. Data were collected by pre-designed, pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire. Data was analyzed in the form of percentage and proportions and Chi-square test was applied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this study, a total of 180 respondents, of which 110 (61.2%) were male and 70 (38.8%) were female. The knowledge about EC was highest (47.6%) among postgraduates in comparison to interns (43.3%) and undergraduate students (41.6%). Overall positive attitude toward EC was observed among 73.8% of the respondents.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Considering the role of a medical graduate as counselor and health-care provider, the technical knowledge about different aspects of EC among the study population was inadequate.
authors: Department of Community Medicine (PSM), Rural Medical College of Pravara Institute of Medical Sciences, Deemed University, Loni, Maharashtra, India.
authors: Purushottam A
authors: PA
authors: Giri
authors: Vidyadhar B
authors: VB
authors: Bangal
authors: Deepak B
authors: DB
authors: Phalke
keywords: Attitude; Emergency contraception; Knowledge; Medical students
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