title: Awareness, use and associated factors of emergency contraceptive pills among women of reproductive age (15-49 years) in Tamale, Ghana.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) are one of the means by which women can use after intercourse to prevent pregnancy. ECPs can be used to reduce the prevalence of unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions. This study investigated awareness and use of ECPs among reproductive age (15-49 years) women in Tamale, Ghana. Factors associated with the use of ECPs were also investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross sectional study was conducted among 200 women of reproductive age (15-49 years) in Tamale, Ghana. Data on socio-demographic variables, awareness and usage of ECPs were assessed by means of a previously validated questionnaire. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with the use of ECPs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Awareness level of ECPs were found to be 69.0% (n = 138); 42.8% (n = 59) got the awareness from a health worker, 31.8% (n = 44) from the radio/TV and 25.4% (n = 35) from family members/friends. Eighty-five percent (n = 117) knew the correct time-frame for an effective use of ECP to prevent pregnancy. Forty percent (39.9%, n = 55) of the participants who had awareness have ever used ECPs. Factors that were found to be associated with the use of ECPs were; participants who said ECPs were affordable (AOR = 6.1, 95% CI = 2.51-10.40, p = 0.001), available (AOR 2.1, 95% CI = 0.61-6.01, p = 0.001), cultural (AOR = 3.5, 95% CI = 1.01-10.15, p = 0.011) and religious unacceptable (AOR = 4.0, 95% CI = 1.02-10.0, p = 0.005).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A relatively high level of awareness and usage of ECPs was found. Factors that were associated with the use of ECPs were availability and affordability. Cultural and religious unacceptability did not hinder the use of ECPs. Health authorities should continue to make ECPs available to women of reproductive age.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Amalba
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Biology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University for Development Studies, P, O, Box TL 1883, Tamale, Ghana. vmogre@uds.edu.gh.
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mogre
authors.forename: Monica N A
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Appiah
authors.forename: Winnifred A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Mumuni
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003281:Contraceptives, Postcoital / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016527:Drug Costs; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012067:Religion; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003281:Contraceptives, Postcoital