FRONTIERS PROJECT
Technical Assistance for Studying the Utilization of Emergency Contraceptive (EC) Services Through Paramedics

FRONTIERS and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) studied the need to extend EC services using paramedical workers. The project provided technical assistance to focus on training trainers, developing counseling skills, and building capacity to collect, analyze, and interpret data.

Results showed that provision of EC by paramedics is feasible, and there is no difference in the quality of services provided by paramedics versus those provided by physicians. Using paramedics to provide EC increases acceptability to potential users; EC use by women more than doubles. Study findings helped the government of India to make EC a nonprescription, over-the-counter drug.

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Location

Gujarat, India

Duration

September 2004–June 2006

Population Council researcher

M.E. Khan

Non-Council collaborator

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)

Donor

US Agency for International Development

Publications/Resources
Council researchers' names appear in boldface type. 

2007
Kumar, Shiv, Chander Shekhar, N.K. Gupta, Malabika Roy, M.E. Khan, Mary Philip Sebastian, Rukma Idnani, Ardash Bhargava, and Vinita Salvi. “Provision of emergency contraceptive services through paraprofessionals in India,” FRONTIERS Final Report. Washington, DC: Population Council. (PDF, 914 KB)

2005
Sebastian Mary P., M.E. Khan, Shiv Kumar, Chander Shekhar, N. K. Gupta. “Studying the utilization of emergency contraceptive services through paramedics in India," FRONTIERS Research Update No. 5. New Delhi: Population Council. (PDF, 1.32 MB)

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See Also

• India

• Contraception

• Emergency Contraception

• Reproductive Health
• FRONTIERS  India
• FRONTIERS Contraception

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