title: EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION: AN OVERVIEW AMONG USERS.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Emergency contraception Pills (ECP) provides a safe and effective means of post coital treatment and prevents at least 75% of expected pregnancies resulting from unprotected intercourse. The purpose of the study was to assess the awareness regarding emergency contraception and to see the knowledge attitude and preference about emergency contraception.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a descriptive cross sectional study carried out at Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Khuzdar. A total of 200 married women of reproductive age group who agreed to participate in the study were interviewed using a self-reported comprehensive, structured closed ended questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  77% of the women were practicing some contraceptive method at the time of study. Most were using condoms for contraception. 16% of all respondents have never used any contraceptive in their life. 70% believe that religion of Islam is not a barrier in family planning. Only 7.5% of the women were aware about ECP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Knowledge about ECP is poor among the women of child bearing age. There is a room for improvement regarding the awareness and use of ECP which can contribute to prevention of unwanted pregnancies.
authors.forename: Shazia Amir
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Humaira
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hafeez
authors.forename: Rabiya
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Akbar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D044363:Contraception, Postcoital / Q000941:ethics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003281:Contraceptives, Postcoital / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007514:Islam; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003281:Contraceptives, Postcoital