Emergency contraception in Senegal: Challenges and opportunities

• Published in: The European journal of contraception & reproductive health care 2015-02, Vol.20 (1), p.64-73
• Main Authors: Mané, Babacar, Brady, Martha, Ramarao, Saumya, Thiam, Ababacar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Attitude of Health Personnel; Birth control; Contraception, Postcoital - statistics & numerical data; Contraception, Postcoital - utilization; Data Collection; Family planning; Family Planning Services - standards; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Services Accessibility; Humans; Middle Aged; Qualitative Research; Reproductive health; Senegal; Surveys and Questionnaires; Womens health; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1362-5187; 1473-0782
• DOI: 10.3109/13625187.2014.951995

Abstract Objectives This paper highlights lessons from introductory efforts and presents new data on community, provider and key opinion leader perspectives to support expanded use of emergency contraception (EC) in Senegal. Sources of information The paper draws on four data sources: (i) a literature review; (ii) a secondary analysis of a household survey conducted by the Urban Reproductive Health Initiative; (iii) in-depth interviews with key opinion leaders; and (iv) a quantitative survey of healthcare providers from a range of service delivery points. Analysis of data Knowledge of EC among women is low in urban areas, with only 20% of women having heard of the method and 4% having ever used it. There were serious gaps in providers' technical knowledge about EC; only 57% knew its mode of action and 34% were aware of the need for timely use (within 120 h). Moreover, nearly half reported reluctance to provide EC to married women and even fewer were willing to provide it to youths, particularly to adolescent girls. Responses from key opinion leaders were mixed, demonstrating ambivalence about EC and how it could be offered. Conclusion In Senegal, the current positive political climate for family planning provides a good opportunity for strengthening EC programming to address knowledge and attitudinal barriers among providers, key opinion leaders and communities. Chinese Abstract 摘要 ：目的，这篇文章的亮点来自导言，尽力展示并且提供了社区、提供者及关键意见领袖支持紧急避孕药在塞内加尔的广泛使用的新数据。 资料来源 这篇文章的资料来源于四个数据：（1）文献综述；（2）一篇由城市生殖健康倡议进行的入户调查的二级分析。（3）一个和关键意见领袖的深度的采访。（4）很多医疗保健服务提供方从乡镇机构得到的量化调查结果。 数据分析 在城市地区的妇女对紧急避孕药的了解很少，仅有20%的女性听说过这种方法而只有4%的女性使用过。供应者提供的紧急避孕药的技术知识存在缺口，只有57%的人知道其作用方式，34%的人知道要在120小时内及时地使用。此外，据报道几乎有一半的情况愿意向已婚女性提供紧急避孕药，极少愿意提供给青年人尤其是青春期的女孩。关键意见领袖的反应是不确定的，对于紧急避孕药及该如何提供存在着矛盾。 结论 在塞内加尔，当前计划生育积极的政治气候对于加强紧急避孕药的规划、对药物的供应者，关键意见领袖和社区介绍药品的知识和态度上的障碍提供了很好的机会，。