Increasing access to emergency contraception in India
By: Nayyar, Anjali.
Subject(s): Emergency contraceptives-India | promoting-emergency contraceptive In: Health and Population Perspectives and Issues 23(3)Summary: The last five years have witnessed a dramatic upsurge of interest in the potential role of emergency contraception as a means to reduce unwanted/unplanned pregnancy; limit the need for unsafe abortion & provide better services for rape victims. Though in use since 1960s; recent years have seen the establishment of an international consortium on emergency contraception; the development of innovative training curricula & IEC materials; the implementation of more aggressive strategies for marketing emergency contraceptive pills; & the publication of informed scientific papers, articles & newsletters. However, the non-availability of registered products; lack of awareness among women & health care providers that contraception following intercourse is feasible; & service-related factors hamper accessibility & wider use of emergency contraceptives. Misconceptions that emergency contracepton is an abortifacient, & that its use promotes irresponsibility & a promiscuous life-style particularly among adolescents, also contribute to its under-utilisation to prevent unintended pregnancies. This paper describes in details about the relevance of various emergency contraceptives, the hurdles in their introduction & availability & the efforts by government & non-goverment organisations for inceasing access to emergency contraception in India.Item type | Current location | Call number | Status | Date due | Barcode |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Journal | Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya | Available |
The last five years have witnessed a dramatic upsurge of interest in the potential role of emergency contraception as a means to reduce unwanted/unplanned pregnancy; limit the need for unsafe abortion & provide better services for rape victims. Though in use since 1960s; recent years have seen the establishment of an international consortium on emergency contraception; the development of innovative training curricula & IEC materials; the implementation of more aggressive strategies for marketing emergency contraceptive pills; & the publication of informed scientific papers, articles & newsletters. However, the non-availability of registered products; lack of awareness among women & health care providers that contraception following intercourse is feasible; & service-related factors hamper accessibility & wider use of emergency contraceptives. Misconceptions that emergency contracepton is an abortifacient, & that its use promotes irresponsibility & a promiscuous life-style particularly among adolescents, also contribute to its under-utilisation to prevent unintended pregnancies. This paper describes in details about the relevance of various emergency contraceptives, the hurdles in their introduction & availability & the efforts by government & non-goverment organisations for inceasing access to emergency contraception in India.