title: Mainstreaming of emergency contraception pill in India: challenges and opportunities.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Emergency Contraception Pill (ECP) is an essential intervention to prevent unwanted pregnancies. However, its use has remained low due to various barriers including reservations among medical fraternity.
  
  
  METHODS
  This paper presents findings on barriers to ECP's easy access for potential users from (i) a cross-sectional survey of providers' attitudes, beliefs, and practices and interviews with key opinion leaders, (ii) three consultations organized by Population Council with policymakers and public health experts, and (iii) evidence from scientific literature.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The major barriers to easy access of ECP include misconceptions and reservations of providers (disapproval of ECP provision by CHWs, opposition to its being an OTC product, and myths, misconceptions, and moral judgments about its users) including influential gynecologists.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For mainstreaming ECP, the paper recommends educational campaign focusing on gynecologists and CHWs, relaxing restrictive policy on advertisement of ECP, involving press media and strengthening supply chain to ensure its regular supply to ASHA (CHW).
authors: Reproductive Health Program, Population Council, New Delhi, India.
authors: Anvita
authors: A
authors: Dixit
authors: Reproductive Health Program, Population Council, New Delhi, India.
authors: M E
authors: ME
authors: Khan
authors: Reproductive Health Program, Population Council, New Delhi, India.
authors: Isha
authors: I
authors: Bhatnagar
keywords: Easy access; emergency contraception; family planning; levonorgestrel; provider barriers
references: Contraception. 2011 Nov;84(5):486-92
references: 22018122
references: J Am Med Womens Assoc (1972). 2002 Fall;57(4):200-3, 214
references: 12405237
references: Rev Peru Med Exp Salud Publica. 2010 Jun;27(2):222-30
references: 21072474
references: J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2005 Oct;18(5):347-54
references: 16202939
references: Obstet Gynecol. 2007 Jan;109(1):181-8
references: 17197603
references: Contraception. 2004 May;69(5):361-6
references: 15105057
references: JAMA. 2005 Jan 5;293(1):54-62
references: 15632336
references: Glob Health Sci Pract. 2014 Apr 01;2(2):210-8
references: 25276578
references: J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2003 Jun;29(3):142-6
references: 12841696
references: Obstet Gynecol. 2005 Sep;106(3):483-91
references: 16135577
references: J Sch Nurs. 2010 Dec;26(6):443-9
references: 20693415
references: Obstet Gynecol. 2003 Jul;102(1):8-16
references: 12850599
references: Obstet Gynecol. 2010 May;115(5):1100-1109
references: 20410799
references: N Engl J Med. 1998 Jul 2;339(1):1-4
references: 9647872
references: Obstet Gynecol. 2010 Jun;115(6):1263-1266
references: 20502299