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Knowledge and use of and opportunities for emergency contraception in Northern Haiti
Author(s) -
Lathrop Eva,
Telemaque Youseline,
Haddad Lisa,
Stephenson Rob,
Goedken Peggy,
Cwiak Carrie,
Jamieson Denise J.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/j.ijgo.2012.11.013
Subject(s) - emergency contraception , medicine , family planning , context (archaeology) , family medicine , focus group , postpartum period , nursing , gynecology , population , pregnancy , research methodology , environmental health , paleontology , genetics , marketing , business , biology
Objective To evaluate the knowledge and experience of, and desire for, emergency contraception (EC) in postpartum women in Haiti, and to determine the knowledge and practices of EC providers. Methods As part of a larger postpartum family planning study, 6 focus groups were conducted with postpartum women (n = 33), 3 were conducted with providers (n = 22), and a questionnaire was given to postpartum women (n = 250). Results Of the 249 women who completed the survey, 145 (58.2%) were aware of the concept of EC as an emergency measure in the postcoital period. Of these, 130 (89.7%) had knowledge of traditional methods only. Twenty‐eight (11.2%) women had used some form of EC in the past, but only 2 (0.8%) reported ever using a modern form of EC. Providers reported that EC was offered to women only in cases of sexual assault. Their impression was that there was no demand for EC. Conclusion Awareness and use of EC is low in the context of high unmet need. The results demonstrate a need for improved education and provision of modern effective EC as part of the constellation of family planning choices.