HYDERABAD: Close to two decades after the introduction of emergency contraceptive pills, awareness related to its use and abuse continues to be abysmal among city dwellers. This according to a recent study conducted at Durgabai Deshmukh Hospital in the city. Titled: A cross-sectional study on knowledge, attitude, practice regarding emergency contraception, the study took responses from 300 young women in the city.
According to it, about 80 per cent of women surveyed had not even heard of emergency contraceptives. Among the 20 per cent who knew about it, 82 per cent thought it was to be used like an abortion pill. Interestingly, the knowledge about emergency contraceptives was higher among younger women -- awareness was 26.9 per cent in 15-25 age group, 12.9 per cent in 26-35 age group and mere 2 per cent in 36-45 age group.
Also, more married women (21 per cent) said they used emergency contraceptives compared to unmarried women (16.4 per cent). Though emergency contraceptives help reduce unwanted pregnancies and related consequences like induced abortions, it’s known to cause serious medical complications, too. Experts have cautioned that its availability over the counter has led to serious abuse of what is supposed to only be an ‘emergency’ option. So much that States like Tamil Nadu imposed a silent ban on sale of the products.
“The menstrual cycle would go for a toss further aggravating health concerns if any,” said Dr A Shanti, Consultant, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Gleneagles Global Hospitals. Since the availability of emergency contraceptive pills is high through pharmacies, the chances of getting wrong information are high, she added.
“Right from the beginning, there has been little awareness when it comes to the use of emergency contraception,” observed N Vasundhara, Civil Surgeon (gynecologist), Area Hospital, Patancheru. She observes that the current focus of the government is to promote institutional deliveries.
“Prevention of maternal mortality is of high importance over other health concerns of the citizens and eventually, emergency contraception will be added to it. As institutional deliveries are being promoted through conducting camps and running advertisement campaigns, EC will soon be taken up to that list,” she said.
Meanwhile, it would be interesting to see how the central government would promote the use of EC considering the restrictions it posed on the advertisement of condoms. According to a notice issued by information and broadcasting (I&B), a regulation has been issued to not display ads relating to the promotion of condoms during the daytime, between 6 am and 10 pm