Hernandez JH, et al. – In this study, researchers investigate selected pharmacies' readiness to serve women seeking emergency contraception (EC). As new service delivery strategies are investigated to complement the uneven network of health structures in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), this study proposes that, given proper training and integration in family planning (FP) programming, private–sector pharmacies have the potential to meet particular contraceptive requirements for women living in Kinshasa.

Methods

• For this study, they used a mystery client (MC) methodology to visit 73 pharmacies in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
• Trained surveyors posed as novice EC users and asked particular questions to assess the pharmacy staff's technical knowledge of EC and their attitudes towards EC clients.
• The outcomes of the MC visit were recorded immediately after the MC left the pharmacy.

Results

• Outcomes indicate that more than two–thirds of EC providers were knowledgeable about EC dosage, timeframe, and side effects, and 90% were deemed helpful towards novice EC users.
• Rare but glaring misconceptions about EC timeframe (20% of providers) and long–term side effects (4% of providers), and in addition to frequent stock–out (22%) and cost issues highlight priorities for programmatic improvements.