European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background: Unsafe abortion is a major public health problem in developing countries where women make several attempts to terminate unintended pregnancy before turning to health services and that constitute important cause of maternal mortality and morbidity. To prevent it, effective fertility control drugs like emergency contraceptive pills (ECP) are used. Objective: To study the perception of emergency contraceptive pills among married women in Mappedu, TamilNadu. Methodology:A cross sectional study was conducted among 62 married women in reproductive age of Mappedu for study duration of 3 months.The study population was selected by simple random sampling technique. Data was collected using pretested structured questionnaire and interviewing about the perception of Emergency contraceptive pillsResults:The average age of women in the study population was 30.5 years. 84% were literate with education status of Primary education and more.Majority of study population were homemakers. About 8% have heard about ECP and source of information was mainly through education. However, where an ECP can be bought, how it acts to prevent fertilisation,how long after unprotected sex it can be used is not known by any.No one among study population used ECP. Conclusion: The awareness of ECP among study population is poor and there is a need to popularize ECP to avoid unwanted pregnancy and abortion with help of media, education, health care providers.