Knowledge of Emergency Contraception and its influencing Factors among Women Sought Abortion in Shanghai City

Through interviewing 606 women requiring abortion at three MCHs in Shanghai City, women's emergency contraception (EC) knowledge was analyzed. Subjects got their knowledge 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 the pill should be taken within 72 h 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 educational level the subjects had, the less likely they were aware of EC, and the lower score of EC knowledge they had. The score of EC knowledge was higher among subjects who learned of EC from family plaguing popularization materials. The finding of this study indicated that it is urgent to popularize EC to reduce unwanted pregnancy and induced abortion. The information should be given to women in an easy way with plain language, including the questions as: EC can be used in which situations, it's advantages and shortcomings, and indication. The departments of family planning should play a leading role in improving women's knowledge of EC.