![]() | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract Lactational amenorrhea as a method of contraception IS more than acceptable temporary and economical form of postpartum contraception, and help to improve breast feeding rates. Nevertheless, ECP could back it up in case of unprotected intercourse to prevent unintended pregnancy. Aim: to describe the pattern of LAM and unplanned pregnancy; assessing women’s awareness and attitudes towards ECP and evaluating the effectiveness of an education program on nurse’s knowledge and attitudes toward using ECP. Subjects and methods: a descriptive design was used for women and a quasi-experimental intervention design with pre-post assessment was used for nurses. This study was conducted in MCH and health units in Klubia: The sample size includes 575 women and 41 nurses: For women: a designed structured interview questionnaire, sheet that includes: Personal data, obstetrical history, and women knowledge about ECP. As for nurses a Self administered questionnaire was developed to assess the effectiveness of the educational program. Results: Only 16.3% had resumed their menstruation before 6 months and 62.6% used LAM for more than 6 months after the last delivery, and 23.6% of women were exposed to unplanned pregnancy, Only 5.4% of the study subjects have used ECP after the last delivery. Nurses had deficient knowledge, inadequate practice and negative attitude towards ECPs. Implementation of the nursing educational program was associated with statistically significant improvements in nurses’ knowledge, attitude, and practice. Conclusion: pregnancy during breastfeeding is common in Egypt and is often unintended. There is great potential for using LAM, but it must be properly taught, and women should be encouraged to start using emergency contraception as soon as any of the prerequisites of LAM expires. Recommendation: Family planning program must ensure that LAM users have knowledge and access to ECP and other effective and appropriate methods of contraception to minimize any gap in contraceptive coverage once LAM becomes an ineffective contraceptive method 6 months after delivery. |