Cross-sectional Analysis of Erzincan Central Pharmacy Enterprises On Emergency Contraception

Pharmacists have an important role in family planning and emergency contraception. The objective of this study was to evaluate the approaches and levels of knowledge of pharmacy staffs which are working in central pharmacies in Erzincan province. In Erzincan province, 44 pharmacies were evaluated. In the study, the questionnaire was completed in 20 pharmacies and answered by pharmacists and pharmacy staff. The questionnaire was consists of three different parts, In the first part, the expressions related to sociodemographic characteristics, in the second part the expressions related to family planning, in the third part the expressions related to emergency contraception and questions about the level of knowledge and thoughts. The survey was carried out in 17 pharmacies voluntarily. In 71.7% of pharmacies, pills and condoms, 98.3% of the family planning methods requested by the patients were hormonal pills and condoms. The rate of emergency contraception answer was 50%. Emergency contraception awareness and family planning counselling services were found to be insufficient. In order to increase the knowledge level of pharmacists and pharmacy workers and to improve their counselling skills, training should be implemented and participation incentives should be increased.