ABSTRACT
Background: Emergency Contraception (EC) is an important option for women exposed to unprotected sex to prevent unintended pregnancy and induced abortion. EC has a potential to offer women an important option for fertility control. The objective of the study was to assess knowledge about Emergency Contraception among currently married women of reproductive age in a rural area of West Bengal. Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted on 608 currently married women of reproductive age for 1 year from May 2017 to April 2018. Questionnaire was administered to women on knowledge of emergency contraception (EC). Data was analyzed in SPSS version 16. Results: Among the study participants 66% had knowledge of emergency contraception. A small number (8.9%) of the total participants ever used EC to prevent pregnancy. Only 65.3% of them had correct knowledge regarding timing of EC. Effectiveness of post-coital pill was known to them while none of these women were aware of the existence of Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device (IUCD) insertion as an option for EC. Conclusions: Marked lacunae were observed regarding knowledge and practice of emergency contraceptives among the WRA. Proper and correct knowledge on Emergency Contraception is of urgent need among all sexually active women especially in this country for population stabilization.
ABSTRACT
Background: Cancer of cervix is the third most common cancer in women in India accounting for 21.7% of cancer deaths among women. Unhealthy cervix, characterized by presence of any abnormal growth, ulcer, or vasculature, is a clinically detectable early stage in the life history of cervical cancer. Very few studies have been conducted to determine risk factors of unhealthy cervix. Methods: A clinic-based cross-sectional study was conducted among currently married women of reproductive age group attending Urban Health Unit and Training Centre, Chetla, Kolkata. A total of 189 women attending the clinic was selected using systematic random sampling method was who were interviewed and examined using pre-designed pre-tested schedule. Analysis was done using (SPSS version 16). Results: Among 189 women, 45.5% were diagnosed with unhealthy cervix. Hierarchical logistic regression showed that educational status, PCI, frequency of cleaning external genitalia and extramarital relationship of the spouse were significantly associated with unhealthy cervical condition. Conclusions: Most of the risk factors of unhealthy cervix are behavioral and modifiable. Health education and behaviour change communication of women of reproductive age group would help in reducing their morbidity as well as mortality from cervix related conditions that includes cervical cancer.