Cairo: Difference between revisions

Emergency contraception is available in Egypt by prescription only. Studies have shown that Egyptians are generally interested in EC yet lack proper education. According to one study, "There is a need for EC in Egypt. However, a big gap in knowledge leads to nonuse or incorrect use of EC and negative attitude toward it. If health service planners and policy makers could fill this gap, a considerable decline in the prevalence of unwanted pregnancy may be achieved by using EC."<ref>[http://www.dktinternational.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Abstract-ECPs-in-Egypt-European-Journal-of-Contraception-May2013.pdf ECPs in Egypt]</ref> According to another study in 2013, 75% of Egyptian women in Alexandria lacked knowledge of EC methods. Furthermore, 18.8% thought that EC and the abortion pill were the same thing. Many women did not know the legality of EC either, with 51% incorrectly thinking it was illegal and 38.4% not knowing at all. "Despite the fact that EC has been available and registered for a long time in Egypt and some other Middle Eastern countries as Algeria, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia, and Yemen," the study found "EC remains relatively unknown and is discussed controversially in such countries, and the problem of unintended pregnancy still exists."<ref>[http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1658361213000784 Awareness and use of emergency contraception among women of childbearing age at the family health care centers in Alexandria, Egypt]</ref>