Document Type : Original Research
Authors
1
Lecturer of Obstetric and Gynecological Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Sohag University, Egypt.
2
Assistant professor of Community Health Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Sohag University, Egypt.
3
Lecturer of Community Health Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Sohag University, Egypt.
4
Assistant professor of Obstetric and Gynecological Department, Faculty of Nursing, Sohag University, Egypt
5
Assistant professor of Obstetric and Gynecological Department, Faculty of Nursing, Assuit University, Egypt.
Abstract
Abstract Background: Globally, there are 250 million pregnancies every year, one third of these is unintended pregnancy, one fifth of these undergo induced abortion and some of these undergo unsafe abortion. Unintended pregnancy has obvious association with health social and economic consequences. Aim: Assess knowledge, attitude and selfreported practice regarding emergency contraception among postpartum and post aborted women. Design: A descriptive research design was carried out in this study. Settings: The sample conducted at Family Planning Unit in Sohag University Hospital, Sohag General Hospital and Maternal- child health center (Dar Salama Abdallah). Sample: A purposive sample was carried out in this study. Subjects: was estimated to be 600 women. Tools: First: structured interview questionnaire, second: knowledge assessment sheet, third: attitude assessment sheet and fourth: self-reported practice assessment sheet. Results: This study revealed that near two third of women had poor knowledge about emergency contraception (EC), more than half of them had negative attitude toward it, the minority of them were used it before and the majority of them had unintended pregnancy previously. Conclusion: Poor knowledge and negative attitude regard EC is remain a major barrier regard wide spread EC use and had obvious role in occurrence unintended pregnancy. Recommendations: It is important to advise women toward using regular suitable contraception and keep EC for emergency purposes only as unprotected sexual intercourse to minimize unintended pregnancies and abortions.
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