Provider knowledge about emergency contraception in Ghana

In 1996, the Ministry of Health in Ghana included emergency contraception ( EC) in its newly issued National Reproductive Health Service Policy and Sta ndards. A short survey was conducted in the summer of 1997 to evaluate heal th providers' knowledge of EC. Of the 325 providers interviewed, about one- third (34%) had heard of EC. No provider had sufficient knowledge to prescr ibe EC correctly. A well-coordinated training programme for providers will have to precede successful introduction of EC in Ghana. Moreover, a dedicat ed product may be critical for the successful introduction of EC in a count ry like Ghana, where provider knowledge is low.