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The knowledge of emergency contraception and dispensing practices of Patent Medicine Vendors in South West Nigeria

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Abstract

Patent Medicine Vendors (PMVs) can play a critical role in increasing access to emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) in developing countries, but few studies have examined their knowledge and dispensing practices. Using cluster sampling, the authors selected and interviewed 97 PMVs (60.8 per cent female) in Oyo and Ogun States of Nigeria to assess their knowledge, dispensing practices, and referral for ECPs. About one-third (27.8 per cent) of respondents were not aware of ECPs, and only half knew that ECPs could prevent pregnancy. Forty per cent had ever dispensed ECPs. Reasons proffered by those who do not dispense ECPs included barriers from the State Ministry of Health, police, other regulatory agencies, and religious beliefs. Only 50.5 per cent have referral arrangements for clients. Strategies to increase access to ECPs through PMVs include training on counseling techniques and referral, effective government regulation, and community involvement. Where unsafe abortion is a major cause of maternal mortality, these strategies offer protection for many women in the future.

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Acknowledgements

This study was conducted by Association for Reproductive and Family Health and Center for Research in Reproductive Health, Nigeria with support from Population Council, Kenya and New York. We commend Professor O.A Ladipo, Mrs G.E Delano, and Professor A Adekunle who reviewed the manuscript and all respondents from the Nigerian Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Association for Reproductive & Family Health, Qtr 815A, Army Officers Mess Road, Ikolaba, P.O. Box 30259 Secretariat Post Office, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

    Mojisola M Fayemi, Olufemi L Oduola, Queen C Ogbuji, Kehinde A Osinowo & Adejoke E Oyewo

  2. Center for Research in Reproductive Health, 10 Cinema Road, Sagamu, Nigeria

    Olabimpe M Osiberu

Authors
  1. Mojisola M Fayemi
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  2. Olufemi L Oduola
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  3. Queen C Ogbuji
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  4. Kehinde A Osinowo
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  5. Adejoke E Oyewo
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  6. Olabimpe M Osiberu
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mojisola M Fayemi.

Additional information

Ninety-nine percent of the 500,000 yearly deaths associated with 66 million unintended pregnancies occur in developing countries. To learn about options crucial to safeguarding women's lives, these authors studied Nigeria's over-the-counter dispensing of the emergency contraceptive pill.

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Fayemi, M., Oduola, O., Ogbuji, Q. et al. The knowledge of emergency contraception and dispensing practices of Patent Medicine Vendors in South West Nigeria. J Public Health Pol 31, 281–294 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1057/jphp.2010.14

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