Emergency contraception; knowledge and attitude of family physician of a teaching hospital, Lahore

ABSTRACT

To assess the knowledge of family medicine health care providers and their attitude towards emergency contraception [EC] in Lahore Medical and Dental College and out-patient centers of Ghurki Teaching Hospital Lahore. Medline Data Base. Cross sectional descriptive study. 3 months period, from March to June 2011. Faculty physicians from different specialties, residents, and medical officers were included in the study. Data was collected on a structured pre-coded 21 -item questionnaire containing demographic profile of the respondents and questions concerning their knowledge, attitudes and beliefs towards emergency contraception. In total 85 interviews were conducted with the response rate of 100%. There were 43 faculty members [50%], 14 residents [16%] and 28 medical officers [32%], 51 male [60%], 34 female [40%] physicians, the majority 58 [68%] were married. Although 79 of the respondents [92.9%] reported considerable familiarity with EC, objective assessment revealed deficiency in their knowledge. Only 41 [48%] correctly chose menstrual irregularity not being most common side effect of Per oral emergency contraception [POEC] while only 28 [32.9%] of respondents answered that EC is not an abortifacient. Only 30 respondents [35%] had an opportunity to learn about EC through workshops. Among the barriers identified 27 respondents believe that as use of POEC would promote sexual promiscuity [31%] and 59 were concerned about birth defects/ side effects [69%].Religious and ethical barriers were also a concern in 57 [67%] and 62 [69%]] of the respondents respectively. Overall attitudes regarding emergency contraception were positive, however 45 [52.9%] were unsatisfied with their current knowledge and 77 [90%] were interested in learning more about EC. Physicians need more detailed information about EC, which would increase the application rate of the users and decrease their own prejudices