Emergency contraception and the knowledge of community pharmacists in Isfahan, Iran

Objectives: Emergency contraception (EC) is a special contraception method that prevents pregnancy after an unsafe sexual contact. Pharmacists, as the most available member of medical team have a unique role in patient education for appropriate use of contraceptive methods. In this study, we assessed the pharmacists′ knowledge about emergency contraception. Methods: A researcher made questionnaire was developed and used according to national guide line and electronic databanks. A group of experts and pharmacists validated the questionnaire. Reliability was measured by Half-Split Test. The questionnaires were filled by pharmacists. Results: Average knowledge score were 8.12 ± 0.28 for women and 7.83 ± 0.31 for men (from a maximum of 15) which showed no significant difference between men and women (P = 0.492). There was no significant difference between pharmacists who had precipitated in continuing education programs and that of those who had not (P = 0.286). Scores of pharmacists who graduated 13 years ago or more did not significantly differ from others (P = 0.287). Conclusions: Because of low scores of pharmacist′s knowledge about EC and the importance of unintended pregnancy prevention, its improvement is an urgent need. Regular and frequent continuing education programs could be one of the recommended interventions.