Knowledge, Attitude And Practice Of Emergency Contraception Among Married Women Attending Antenatal Clinics

Abstract

Background: Despite the advancements in current methods of contraception, unintended pregnancies are still widespread in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia which adversely impact the well-being and health of women and their families.

Objectives: To determine the level of knowledge, attitude and utilization of emergency contraception among women attending ante-natal clinics at primary health care centers in Makkah, 2018.

Subjects and methods:  A cross-sectional study was conducted at antenatal care clinics, Ministry of Health (MOH) PHC centers in Makkah city. A multi-stage random sample of married Saudi women in the childbearing age who were attending those clinics was recruited. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire composed of three main sections; socio-demographic data of the participants, questions regarding knowledge of EC use and statements assessed attitude and barriers to use EC.

Results: The study included 191 women with a response rate of 100% Their age ranged between 18 and 49 year olds with a mean of 31.7 and standard deviation (SD) of ±5.3 years. 78.5% of the participants knew that there is a way to prevent pregnancy in case of having unprotected sex. Internet was the commonest EC source of knowledge (45.4%), followed by doctor or family planning provider (33.4%). Majority of the participants who were aware of the existence of a method to prevent pregnancy in case of an unprotected sex (n=150) knew correctly the time of using emergency contraceptive pills or IUD (99.3% and 92.7%, respectively) though only 16.2% of the studied women reported ever using emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy. Al[1]most 31.4% of the participated women were willing to use emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy in case of an unprotected sex. 68.9% among those not willing to use emergency contraception. Religious factors were the commonest reported reasons for that (59.5%). Primary school educated women had the highest percentage of the EC attitude score, rank was 128.04 while postgraduate women had the lowest percentage of the score, rank of 24.07), p=0.001.

Conclusion: The present study`s results reveal high level of awareness knowledge regarding emergency contraception. However, low utilization was notices mainly due to religious concerns