Awareness of hormonal emergency contraception among married women in a Kuwaiti family social network.

Objective: Awareness and use of hormonal emergency contraception are not known in the Arab world. This study investigated awareness and perceptions of hormonal emergency contraception among women within a Kuwaiti extended family and their social contacts.

Study Design: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire which was distributed to 66 married women within a Kuwaiti family's social network. The questionnaire provided a short explanation of hormonal emergency contraception and then elicited the respondent's prior awareness, concerns and perception on future availability.

Results: The mean (S.D.) age of the respondents was 35.1 (6.3) years. Over 30% were currently using oral contraceptives; 28% were using no contraceptive method. Four women (6.1%) had heard of hormonal emergency contraception before, one had used it. Most respondents (65.2%) would not use or inform a friend about hormonal emergency contraception. Main concerns were risks to the health of the woman (83.3%) or the baby (54.5%) or that it was abortifacient (21.2%). However, 90.9% of respondents wanted hormonal emergency contraception to be available.

Conclusions: Awareness of hormonal emergency contraception is low among Kuwaiti women. Despite some concerns, they feel it should be made available. Health care providers and policymakers should address this situation.