The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #62997

Jennifer Blum, MPH¹, Amadou Sylla, PhD², Thierno Dieng², Mamadou Biaye, DEA², and Rasha Dabash, MPH³. (1) International Programs Division, Population Council, One Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, New York, NY 10017, 212 339 0614, jblum@popcouncil.org, (2) Ceforep, BP 22340, Dakar, Senegal, (3) Research and Evaluation, EngenderHealth, 440 Ninth Ave, New York, NY 10001

We will present results of focus groups with technical school and university students in Dakar, Senegal. Through these discussions, we learned that knowledge about emergency contraception is very low in this population. While participants had heard of emergency contraception (as a method they could get from a provider to prevent a pregnancy after intercourse), few was familiar with Norlevo, (Levonogestrel 750 øg), the first dedicated emergency contraceptive product approved for use in Senegal. When probed, students spoke positively of EC, noting that it is an important method to offer young people in Senegal, particularly students and a preferable alterative to illegal (unsafe) abortion. Some students expressed concern that if the method were to become easily available it might increase sexual activity among young people and lead to an increase in STIs and HIV/AIDS. In spite of concerns about EC, participants were generally positive about the method and supportive of disseminating information and increasing access to this important means of pregnancy prevention. Given the recent introduction of the dedicated product, we also asked participants to suggest ways to reach communities with information about EC. Participants had a number of suggestions, ranging from radio ads and TV commercials, to community skits and sensitization campaigns with local women’s groups. To our knowledge this study represents the first attempt to document local knowledge and perceptions of EC. We expect that this data will inform organizations that are interested in evaluating the feasibility and framework from which to introduce dedicated ECPs in urban francophone African settings.

Learning Objectives:

• List three reasons why students in Dakar are concerned about misuse of emergency contraception.
• Explain two ways that information about EC can be effectively spread among urban youth in Senegal

Keywords: Access and Services, Family Planning

Related Web page: www.popcouncil.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.