Analysis on the emergency contraception knowledge level and its influencing factors among abortion patients in Shanghai city.

To evaluate the knowledge level of emergency contraception, explore the determinants of the knowledge level among women seeking abortion and give sugges- tions on how to improve the quality of emergency contraception service. Method A total of 606 women requiring abortion at three MCHs in Shanghai City were interviewed face to face with structured questionnaire. Results 63. 7% of unwanted pregnancy could use EC to prevent. Subjects got their knowledge on EC mainly from books/newspapers/magazines and relatives/friends/ parents. The proportion of the awareness of EC was 28.5%. Most subjects were aware of hormonal EC pill, but only 14.9% of them knew that the pill should be taken within 72 hours after the intercourse. Among the subjects who were aware of EC, the average score of the knowledge was lower than half of the full marks. The lower the subject's educational level was, the less likely they were aware of EC and the lower score of the knowledge of EC they had. The score of the knowledge of EC was higher among subjects who learned of EC mainly from family planning publicity. Conclusion It is urgent to popularize EC in order to reduce unwanted pregnancy and induced abortion. The information, including EC can be used in which situations, it's advantages and disadvantages as well as indication, should be given to women in an appropriate way and using plain language. The departments of family planning should play a leading role in improving women's knowledge of EC.