Knowledge of, attitude toward and professional experience with emergency contraceptives among physicians in Sikkim, India

Authors

  • Hafizur Rahman Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences and Associated Central Referral Hospital, Gangtok, Sikkim, India
  • Swati Duggal Senior Research Scientist, Medical Affairs and Clinical Research, Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited (R&D IV), Gurgaon, Haryana, India

Keywords:

Knowledge, Attitude, Doctors, Emergency contraceptives, Professional experience

Abstract

Background: Objective of current study was to assess knowledge of, attitude toward and professional experience with emergency contraceptives (EC) among doctors practicing in Sikkim, India.

Methods: Between November 2012 to June 2013, a pre-designed, pretested, self-administered anonymous questionnaire was sent to the doctors practicing in different hospitals of Sikkim. The questionnaire included items on knowledge, attitude, and professional experience of doctors with EC.

Results: Of the 285 doctors invited, 210 (73.7%) returned the questionnaire. Although the entire participant responded that they were aware of EC, objective assessment revealed limited knowledge on various aspects of EC. Correct time frame of EC pills use was aware by 63%, while only 45% were aware of correct dosage regime of levonorgestrel pill. Actual level of knowledge was present only in 48.6% doctors. Misconceptions about EC were common, more than half of the doctors felt that easy availability and promotion might increase sexual promiscuity and discourage use of regular contraceptives. Twenty percent doctor used EC either for themselves or for their spouses. Only 42.4% doctors ever recommended or prescribed EC to their clients. Those who never recommended or prescribed EC, the common reasons offered were their concerns that EC may discourage use of regular contraceptives (63.6%), may increase sexual promiscuity (46.3%) and their inadequate knowledge (43.8%).

Conclusions: Knowledge and professional experience about emergency contraception among participant doctors was inadequate. EC should be included in continuing medical educational programmes, in workshops and seminars for doctors, which would be helpful in creating awareness and remove misconception about EC among doctors. 

References

Okonofua F. Abortion and maternal mortality in the developing world. J Obstet Gynecol Can. 2006;28(11):974-9.

World Health Organization, Division of Reproductive Health. Unsafe abortion: global and Regional estimates of incidence and mortality due to unsafe abortion with listing of available country data, 1998. Available at: http://www.who.int/reproductive-health/ publications/MSM_97_16/MSM_97_16_table_of_contents_en.html. Accessed 18 December 2012.

World Health Organization, Safe Motherhood. Unsafe abortion: a worldwide problem, 2000. Available at: http://www.who.int/whr/2000/en/whr00_en.pdf. Accessed 18 December 2012.

World Health Organization. Unsafe abortion: global and regional estimates of incidence of unsafe abortion and associated mortality in 2003, 2003. Available at: http://209.61.208.233/LinkFiles/Publications_Unsafe_Abortion.pdf. Accessed 18 December 2012.

Ministry of Family Welfare and Health, Government of India. National family health survey 1998-99, 1999. Available at: http://www.measuredhs.com/pubs/pdf/FRIND2/FRIND2.pdf. Accessed 18 December 2012.

Finger WR. Contraceptive methods for young adults. Netw Res Triangle Park N C. 1997;17(3):16-7.

Grimes DA, Benson J, Singh S, Romero M, Ganatra B, Okonofua FE, et al. Unsafe abortion: the preventable pandemic. Lancet. 2006;368(9550):1908-19.

Nigam A, Maheshwari N, Prakash A. Knowledge of emergency contraception and contraceptive practices: representative study from rural Uttar Pradesh. Indian J Community Med. 2010;35(3):449-50.

Sable MR, Schwartz LR, Kelly PJ, Lisbon E, Hall MA. Using the theory of reasoned action to explain physician intention to prescribe emergency contraception. Persp Sex Reprod Health. 2006;38(1):20-7.

Burton R, Savage W. Knowledge and use of postcoital contraception: a survey among health professionals in Tower Hamlets. Br J Gen Pract. 1990;40:326-30.

Grossman RA, Grossman BD. How frequently is emergency contraception prescribed? Fam Plann Persp. 1994;26:270-1.

Oriji VK, Omietimi JE. Knowledge, attitude, and practice of emergency contraception among medical doctors in Port Harcourt. Niger J Clin Pract. 2011;14:428-31.

Singh S, Mittal S, Anandalakshmy PN, Goel V. Emergency contraception: knowledge and views of doctors in Delhi. Health Popul Persp Issues. 2002;25(1):45-54.

Muia E, Ellertson C, Lukhando M, Flul B, Clark S, Olenja L. Emergency contraception in Nairobi, Kenya: knowledge, attitudes, and practices among policy makers, family planning providers and clients and university students. Contraception. 1999;60(4):223-32.

Langer A, Harper C, Garcia barrios C, Schiavon R, Heimburger A, EluL B, et al. Emergency contraception in Mexico City: what do health care providers and potential users know and think about it? Contraception. 1999;60(4):233-41.

Abdulghani HM, Karim SI, Irfan F. Emergency contraception: knowledge and attitudes of family physicians of a teaching hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. J Health Popul Nutr. 2009;27(3):339-44.

Consensus statement on emergency contraception. Contraception.1995;52:211-3.

Downloads

Published

2017-02-10

Issue

Section

Original Research Articles