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

ObjectiveTo 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.MethodsAs 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).ResultsOf 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.ConclusionAwareness 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.