BACKGROUND Emergency contraception (EC) can prevent pregnancy but is under-used. Advanced provision increases use but the effect on contraceptive behaviour varies. METHODS Women aged 18-45 years, using less effective contraceptives, were randomized to either advanced provision of three courses of EC (intervention) or to obtaining each course from clinic (control). EC use and contraceptive beh...

Background: Emergency contraceptive methods help in preventing pregnancy following 72–120 h of unprotected sexual intercourse. Emergency contraceptive pills (ECP) are available over the counter (OTC) in India since 2005. In India, studies on emergency contraceptives have been mainly carried out on females. Both male and female partner owe responsibility for pregnancy. Hence, we carried out this...

BACKGROUND Unsafe abortion is a major public health problem in low-and-middle income countries. Young and unmarried women constitute a high risk group for unsafe abortions. It has been estimated that widespread use of emergency contraception may significantly reduce the number of abortion-related morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and exp...

This study investigated contraceptive practices and especially the use of emergency contraception by 487 young students at a public university in São Paulo State. A structured questionnaire was sent by e-mail and completed online in December 2007. Contraceptive methods and use of emergency contraception were investigated. Female and male students reported a high proportion of contraceptive use,...

CONTEXT As abortion is illegal in Nicaragua, postcoital contraception is an important option for preventing pregnancy. Emergency contraceptive pills are available in Nicaraguan pharmacies over the counter, but pharmacy personnel's knowledge and attitudes about this method can affect access. METHODS A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Managua, Nicaragua's capital. Interviewers administer...

CONTEXT Despite a decision by the Food and Drug Administration to deny over-the-counter status to emergency contraceptive pills, pharmacists play a crucial role in a woman's access to this medication, especially in areas with large rural populations. Pharmacists' knowledge about and attitudes toward emergency contraceptive pills may affect whether pharmacies carry the medication and whether ind...

CONTEXT Knowing the extent to which contraceptive nonuse, incorrect or inconsistent use, and method failure account for unintended pregnancies ending in abortion, as well as reasons for nonuse and imperfect use, can help policymakers and family planning providers support effective contraceptive use. METHODS Contraceptive use patterns among a nationally representative sample of 10,683 women re...

Background: Unwanted pregnancies are one of the important problems of countries. In our country despite the numerous efforts of authorities and cover a wide family planning, unwanted pregnancies and the consequences of that such as infectious abortions are common problems. Unwanted pregnancies are often due to lack of use or uncorrected use of common methods of contraception due to low knowledg...

Background: Unwanted pregnancies are one of the important problems of countries. In our country despite the numerous efforts of authorities and cover a wide family planning, unwanted pregnancies and the consequences of that such as infectious abortions are common problems. Unwanted pregnancies are often due to lack of use or uncorrected use of common methods of contraception due to low knowledg...

CONTEXT Little is known about the frequency and patterns of use of emergency contraceptive pills among women in urban Kenya and Nigeria. METHODS To recruit women who had used emergency contraceptive pills, individuals aged 18-49 were intercepted and interviewed at shopping venues in Nairobi, Kenya, and Lagos, Nigeria, in 2011. Information was collected on 539 Nairobi and 483 Lagos respondents...