Background

Improved knowledge about emergency contraception (EC) may decrease the unplanned pregnancy rate, unsafe abortion and save many lives. This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of EC amongst the nursing staff in Sikkim.

Method

This study was carried out among 131 nursing staff in Gangtok between 2008 to 2009. A predesigned self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data.

Results

The majority of nursing staff stated that they had heard of EC. About 80% gained knowledge about EC from doctors and health personnel and 61% were willing to use contraceptives, but only 40% were in favor of using EC if required. Only 26 nursing staff had used one or more methods of EC. High dose oral contraceptive pills (OCP) were the preferred method of EC.

Conclusion

Awareness of EC was low among nursing staff. There appears to be an urgent need of education about EC and training programs to promote it.