Investigation on the Utilization of Emergency Contraceptive Pills among Women with Unwanted Pregnancy / 中国药房

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE:To provide reference for improving the utilization ratio of emergency contraceptive(EC)pills and re-ducing unwanted pregnancy. METHODS:Among 458 women with unwanted pregnancy in our hospital,self-designed question-naires were used to survey the respondents'knowledge and utilization of EC pills,reasons for not using,sources of EC knowledge and drug availability. The results were analyzed statistically. RESULTS:Totally 458 questionnaires were distributed and then 426 valid questionnaires were collected with effective rate of 93.0%. Among respondents,the awareness rate of EC was 81.2%(346/426),and the rate of those receiving higher education was higher than that of other education levels(P<0.001). 56.3%(240/426) of the respondents had ever used EC pills at one time,the utilization ratio of EC pills were higher in women less than 30-year-old and receiving higher education than other age and educational levels(P<0.01). Only 20.2%(86/426)of the respondents ever used EC pills after the last menstrual period and only 3.5%(3/86) of them took EC pills correctly. Not understanding or knowing EC was the main reason for not using EC pills,accounting for 60.6%(206/340). The highest proportion of source which the respon-dents got EC knowledge was network,accounting for 53.5%(185/346). 37.0%(81/219) of the respondents who had ever pur-chased drugs couldn't purchase EC pills conveniently. CONCLUSIONS:The utilization ratio of EC pills in women with unwanted pregnancy needs to be improved and non-standard drug use is more common. It indicates that health education of contraception still need to be strengthened and the availability of EC pills improved.