Awareness and Attitudes Toward Emergency Contraceptives Among College Students in South India

Background: In India every year, a large number of pregnancies are unplanned resulting in unsafe abortion. This has tremendous implications both on health and survival of women. Usage of emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) could be a solution provided the usage is as per guidelines and social issues do not cause objections. Aim: This study was done to assess the awareness and attitudes regarding ECPs. Methods: Data were collected using self-administered questionnaire from the university students. Results: Out of 449 students, 384(85.5 %) had heard about ECPs. The commonest source of information was television 299(77.9 %). Only 128(33.3 %) students knew that ECPs do not help in prevention of STDs. 209(54.4 %) participants knew the correct time frame for taking ECPs. 109(28.4 %) were unaware of its side effects. Only 149(33.2 %) had received reproductive health education (RHE) in the past. The awareness level of students about ECPs was moderate among 231(60.2 %) participants. Awareness was significantly more among males (p = 0.013), students with science background (p = 0.001) and those who had RHE previously (p = 0.043). 219(57 %) had average level of perception toward ECPs. 254(66.2 %) participants favored prescription before procuring ECPs from drug stores. 261(68 %) participants favored information about ECPs to be given in educational institutions, and a majority, 186(48.4 %), said they would recommend ECPs to their friends. Average-to-good perception about ECPs was seen in significantly greater proportion of females (p = 0.034). Conclusion: RHE is must at educational institutions so as to promote awareness and to remove misconceptions about ECPs among youth. This would help users in preventing unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions.