Knowledge and use of and opportunities for emergency contraception in Northern Haiti

Abstract

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.