Pharmacy Students’ Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Regarding Emergency Contraception in Lebanon: A Cross-Sectional Study

Pharmacy Practice

  • Seham Kanaan1School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon.
  • Dana Ayoub1School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon.
  • Sahar Nasser1School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon.
  • Faten Hamed1School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon.
  • Mariam Dabbous1School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon., 2Inserm U1094, IRD U270, Université de Limoges, CHU Limoges, EpiMaCT-Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases in Tropical Zone, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, Omega Health, Limoges, France., 3École Doctorale Biologie, Chimie, Santé, Université de Limoges, Limoges, France.
  • Iqbal Fahs1School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon.
  • Mohamad Rahal1School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon.
  • Fouad Sakr1School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon., 4INSPECT-LB: Institut National de Santé Publique, d’Épidémiologie Clinique et de Toxicologie-Liban, Beirut, Lebanon.

Volume 24 Issue 1 Pages 1-9

DOI: 10.18549/PharmPract.2026.1.3410

Abstract

Background: Emergency contraception (EC) is a critical intervention for preventing unintended pregnancies when used promptly after unprotected intercourse. Despite its accessibility, misconceptions and inadequate knowledge about EC among pharmacy students may hinder its effective use. Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of pharmacy students regarding emergency contraceptives and explore factors influencing their knowledge, perceptions, and behaviors towards emergency contraception. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that was conducted between December 2023 and February 2024 at the School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University. A structured and validated questionnaire was distributed to 366 pharmacy students in their third, fourth, fifth, and PharmD years. The survey was divided into four parts: demographics, knowledge, attitude, and practice. Bivariable and multivariable analysis were conducted to identify demographic factors significantly associated with knowledge about EC and attitudes towards EC. Results: The majority of participants were female (79.8%) with a median age of 22 years. Knowledge about EC was inadequate. Fifth-year and PharmD students, as well as those working in community pharmacies, exhibited significantly higher knowledge scores. Attitudes towards non-prescription EC were predominantly negative. Religious affiliation strongly influenced attitudes, with students without religious ties showing more favorable perceptions. Among students working in pharmacies, only 58.3% reported readiness to dispense EC, citing moral and knowledge-related barriers. Conclusion: Pharmacy students in Lebanon showed inadequate knowledge and largely negative attitudes towards EC, underscoring the need for educational interventions in pharmacy curricula to address misconceptions about EC among pharmacy students and improve their readiness to counsel and dispense EC in their respective communities.

Keywords

  • Emergency Contraception
  • Education
  • Pharmacy
  • Students
  • Knowledge
  • Attitude
  • Practice
Pharmacy Practice

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