Investigation on Knowledge of and Attitude to Emergency Contraception among Induced-Abortion Women

Based on the data from the survey of 6O6 women who went to three MCHs ofShanghai for induced abortion, women's knowledge of and attitude to emergency con-traception (EC) were analyzed. The results showed that 28.5% of the subjects wereaware of EC. Among them, 97 1% were aware of emergency pill. The main re-sources of their knowledge were from books, newspapers, magazines and relatives orfriends. Women's exact knowledge of EC was insuffcient. The younger, well-edu-cated women were more likely to be aware of EC. 85.5% of the subjects were willingto use EC when needed. Women who had knowledge EC and were in the first preg-nancy were more willing to use this method. Most women prefrred to use emergencypill and thought drug store was the most appropriate place in which to acquire it. Theresult implied that, in order to decrease the rate of induced abortion, it is urgent tocommunicate EC to the public and to produce emergency pills to be accessible for use.

Use of Emergency Contraception could Halve Induced Abortion Ratein Shanghai, China

Objective To investigate and estimate the proportion of the induced abortion that could have been prevented by using emergency contraception in Shanghai Method Structured interviews were conducted in 606 women (413 married and 193 unmarried) aged 18-49 years, who were attending three health care centers in Shang- hai for termination of first trimester pregnancy. Results A total of 98.2% of the pregnancies were unwanted, and 63.7% of the women recognized that they were at risk of pregnancy soon after the intercourse. It is estimated that 52.2% of the induced abortion could have been prevented if the women had used levonorgestrel-only emergency contraception. Only 28.5% of the respondents were aware of emergency contraception. The most important sources of information about emergency contraception identified by respondents were books/newspapers/periodicals (38.2%), and relatives/friends (30.6%). Family planning health education on emergency contraception was noted by 28.9% of married women but only by 5.8% of unmarried women. A portion of 85.5% of all respondents reported they would be willing to use emergency contraception when needed. Those more willing to use emergency con- traception included younger, better educated, and unmarried women experiencing their first pregnancy. Women preferred drugstores (60.1%) than hospitals (30.2%) for obtaining emergency contraception. Conclusion Women’s needs for emergency contraception were enormous. Promotion of emergency contraception by providing information and improving service could have a substantial impact on reducing the rate of induced abortion in Shanghai.

Analysis on the Emergency Contraception Knowledge Level and Its Influencing Factors among Abortion Patients in Shanghai City

To evaluate the knowledge level of emergency contraception, explore the determinants of the knowledge level among women seeking abortion and give sugges- tions on how to improve the quality of emergency contraception service. Method A total of 606 women requiring abortion at three MCHs in Shanghai City were interviewed face to face with structured questionnaire. Results 63. 7% of unwanted pregnancy could use EC to prevent. Subjects got their knowledge on EC mainly from books/newspapers/magazines and relatives/friends/ parents. The proportion of the awareness of EC was 28.5%. Most subjects were aware of hormonal EC pill, but only 14.9% of them knew that the pill should be taken within 72 hours after the intercourse. Among the subjects who were aware of EC, the average score of the knowledge was lower than half of the full marks. The lower the subject's educational level was, the less likely they were aware of EC and the lower score of the knowledge of EC they had. The score of the knowledge of EC was higher among subjects who learned of EC mainly from family planning publicity. Conclusion It is urgent to popularize EC in order to reduce unwanted pregnancy and induced abortion. The information, including EC can be used in which situations, it's advantages and disadvantages as well as indication, should be given to women in an appropriate way and using plain language. The departments of family planning should play a leading role in improving women's knowledge of EC.

Emergency contraception:What is new?

Unintended pregnancy rates remain high throughout the World and increase the risk of poor maternal and infant outcomes.Most of unintended pregnancies occur in women who were not using contraceptionor who became pregnant despite the reported use of contraception.Women who have had recent unprotected intercourse including those who have had another form of contraception fail are potential candidates for this intervention.Currently used em-ergency contraceptive methods are pills that contain combined estrogen-progesterone,only progestin,antiprogestins and copper intrauterine devices.The most common form of this type of contraception is oral progestin-only pills(levonorgestrel).The most effective method is copper intrauterine devices followed by anti-progestins and oral progestin-only pills.The major pathogenesis of oral emergency contraceptives is the prevention or delay of ovulation.Although conception is possible on only a few days of the cycle,emergency contraception is offered when indicated without regard to the timing of the menstrual cycle because of uncertainty in the timing of the ovulation.Levonorgestrel and E/P regimes are most effective as soon as possible after unprotected sexual intercourse.A linear relationship has been shown between ef-fectiveness and the time of dose.The effectiveness continues for 120 h,but it is recommended to be used within 72 h after intercourse.Intrauterine devices may prevent pregnancy when 5 d after ovulation.

Call to Improve Women’s Awareness Regarding Emergency Contraception in Arab Societies

Birth spacing means allowing three years or more between two children or two pregnancies.Globally,contraceptive prevalence among married women has increased from 30 percent in the early 1960s to 58 percent in 1998.In ISLAM,the Quran had clearly Indicated the proper time span which should elapse between the birth of one child and the next.The carrying of the child(pregnancy)to Fissal is(weaning)a period of thirty months.

Mifepristone in Combination with Misoprostol vs. Low Dose Mifepristone Alone in Emergency Contraception: a Multi-center Double-blind Randomized Clinical Trial

To compare the effectiveness and side effects of various low dose of Mifepristone in combination with Misoprostol and low doses Mifepristone alone in emergency contraception Materials & Methods This is a multi center double blind randomized controlled clinical trial. A total of 899 healthy women were allocated into this study and were randomly divided into 3 groups. They were orally administrated with different emergency contraceptives with 120 h after unprotected intercourse. Group I (n=300) was given 25 mg Mifepristone plus 0.2 mg Misoprostol after 24 h. Group II (n=299) was given 10 mg Mifepristone plus 0.2 mg Misoprostol after 24 h. Group III (n=300) was administrated with 10 mg Mifepristone alone. The effective rates in different groups were calculated with Dixon method. Results Altogether 11 pregnancies occurred, among which 2 cases were in Group I, 2 cases in Group II, and 7 cases were in Group III. After correction with method failure, there was only one case in Group I, 0 case in Group II, and 5 cases in Group III. The contraceptive effectiveness in these groups was 95.5%, 100% and 76.9% respectively. The pregnancy rate was significantly lower in Group I and Group II than that of Group III (P<0.01). The side effects were slight and tolerable, and there was no significant difference between different groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Use of low dose Mifepristone (25 mg or 10 mg) in combination with 0.2 mg Misoprostol was an effective, low side effects and safe treatment regimen for emergency contraception.

Perception and Practice of Emergency Contraception among Female Undergraduates of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria

Objective To assess perception and level of proper utilization of emergency contraception （EC） among female undergraduates. Methods Cross-sectional questionnaire study was performed on 383 female undergraduates in Nigeria in June 2006. Data analysis was with Z-square test and logistic regressions （P 〈O. 05）. Results One hundred and five （48.2%） had been sexually exposed. Only 32 （30.5%） used regular contraception. Seventy-three （24.3%）female undergraduates were aware of EC. Only 29 （7.6%） had used EC before. Most would not use emergency contraceptive drugs in future due to lack of awareness （64.8%）, and fear for future fertility and of drugs being injurious to health. Use of EC was associated with awareness of correct interval for use （OR=9.1; 95%CI： 2.1-39.9）. Conclusion There is poor knowledge about EC and poor use, while significant need remains. Most knowledge was acquired from peers and inaccurate. Peer educators are important and professionals＇ knowledge needs improvement.

Determinants of emergency contraceptive pill use in Bangladesh: An analysis of national survey data

Objective:To examine the determinants of emergency contraceptive pill use in Bangladesh.Methods:Data for this cross-sectional study came from 2017-2018 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey.Characteristics of 906 reproductive age women who were potential candidates for using emergency contraceptive pill were analysed in this study.Data were analysed using univariate and multivariate analyses.Stepwise binary logistic regression was employed as multivariate analysis.Results:Only 10.9%candidates were found to ever use emergency contraceptive pill.The odds of using emergency contraceptive pill for women visited by family planning field worker was significantly higher than that for those who were not visited by family planning field worker[odds ratio(OR)1.94;95%confidence interval(CI)1.19–3.17;P=0.008],while the odds of using emergency contraceptive pill for women with high socioeconomic status was higher than that for those with low socioeconomic status(OR 3.10;95%CI 1.61–5.97;P=0.001).Additionally,having some media access was linked to an increase in the odds of using emergency contraceptive pill(OR 3.01;95%CI 1.33–6.83;P=0.008).Women empowerment related factors did not show any significant effect on emergency contraceptive pill use.Conclusions:The findings indicate that family planning programme has a great opportunity of playing an important role in increasing emergency contraceptive pill use in Bangladesh by increasing the knowledge and awareness of women about emergency contraceptive pill.

Sexuality and Emergency Contraceptive Practice among Female Undergraduates in Lagos, Nigeria

Background: Young people, especially those in tertiary institutions are vulnerable to unplanned and unprotected sexual intercourse which predisposes them to unintended pregnancies and subsequently unsafe abortions. One of the key interventions for reduction of unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions is effective use of emergency contraceptives. Objectives: To assess the sexuality, perception, attitude towards and determinants of usage of emergency contraception among female undergraduates in Lagos, Nigeria. Methods: Cross-sectional survey conducted in June 2016 among 805 female students of the Lagos State University. Data were collected through structured self-administered questionnaire by obtaining information on demography, sexual and contraceptive history, perception, attitude towards and use of emergency contraceptives. Data obtained were analyzed using SPSS version 16. Chi-square and logistic regression models were applied to variables to test for significance that predicts the use of emergency contraceptives. Results: Of the 725 (90%) completed questionnaires, 334 (46%) of the respondents were sexually active with 115 (34%) having previous history of pregnancy. Eighty-two percent of those pregnancies were unintended. Eighty-eight percent of those with unintended pregnancy had them terminated by induced abortions, 54% of which was carried out by untrained persons. Only 29% of those who had unprotected sexual intercourse used emergency contraceptives. Lack of knowledge and promotion of sexual promiscuity were identified as the main reasons for not using emergency contraceptives. Previous use of contraceptives, married status, increasing age and year of study were positive predictors for the use of emergency contraceptives while poor knowledge was a significant predictor of non-use. Conclusion: There was poor knowledge and low utilization of emergency contraceptives among respondents. Information on contraceptives should be introduced in secondary schools and in general studies courses in tertiary institutions while parents and caregivers should discuss issues relating to sex and contraceptives with adolescents.

Use of biological and chemical molecules in regulating embryo implantation and endometrial receptivity

This review summarizes the drugs and chemicals that may modulate embryo implantation.Non-hormonal molecules,including aspirin,improved endometrial blood flow,while low molecular weight heparin,vitamin E,sildenafil,and atosiban modulated the expression of endometrial genes.Hormonal factors,including human chorionic gonadotropin and growth hormones,can regulate the expression of endometrial receptivity markers.Other immunomodulatory molecules,including granulocyte colony-stimulating factor,peripheral blood mononuclear cells,autologous platelet-rich plasma,and intralipid and intravenous immunoglobulins,may improve implantation rate by modulating endometrial immune functions.Medicinal extracts of the Chinese herbs Paeonia lactiflora and Perilla frutescens increased the expression of leukemia inhibitory factors in endometrial epithelial cells.Recently,the use of the commercially available Library of Pharmacologically Active Compounds with a high-throughput screening method has provided an approach to screen for compounds that may potentially enhance or suppress embryo implantation.Whether these biomedical findings translate into clinical effects that enhance or suppress embryo implantation requires further investigation.