Emergency Contraceptive Pill Knowledge, Attitudes and Dispensing Practices of Pharmacists in Ibadan and Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Use of Emergency Contraceptive Pills (ECP) is desirable in Nigeria where there is high rate of unwanted

pregnancy. Pharmacists are expected to play important role in promoting use of ECP but few studies have

assessed their knowledge, attitude and dispensing practice of this product in Nigeria. A total of 211

randomly selected pharmacists practicing in Ibadan and Lagos metropolis completed a questionnaire that

assessed knowledge about ECP, attitude towards this contraceptive and actual dispensing practices. The

results showed that the mean age of the respondents was 38.8 (±10.9) years. There were more male

(57.3%) than female respondents (42.7%). The overall mean knowledge scores for the sample was 8.9 (SO:

2.6) out of 18. No significant difference was found in mean knowledge score of male (9.0) (± 2.6) and female

respondents (8.9) (±2.8) (p>0.05). Respondents who had practiced for up to 30 years had significantly

higher score (9.1) than those with less years of experience (7.7) (p< 0.05). Forty-three percent claimed they

had religious or moral (46.9%) objection to dispensing ECP. The majority (79.1%) had ever dispensed ECP

whereas 21.9% had never done so. Of the 167 respondents who had ever dispensed, 94.6% had a stock of

ECP on the day of their interview. More respondents from Ibadan than Lagos had ever dispensed ECP

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