Disparity In Availability Research Articles

Results of a VOSH Trip to Panama

Background: Optometric services in many parts of the world are unavailable, or when available, limited to those individuals who have the resources and proximity to gain access to them. Recognizing this disparity in availability of eyecare services, teams from developed countries have been volunteering to provide eyecare in these areas with such a need for many years. Over time, these groups have also adopted a mission of enhancing the local infrastructure to create long-term improvement. Method: All records from a VOSH clinical trip to Panama were retrospectively analyzed to determine the prevalence of ocular conditions diagnosed. Results: As expected, the mean refractive error was low hyperopia, however, most astigmatism was oriented against-the-rule. There was also an earlier need for an additional near correction. There were 488 instances of non-refractive ocular conditions documented with cataracts constituting 75.6% of these. Documented measurement of intraocular pressures (IOP) demonstrated most findings fell within the accepted normal range of 11-22mmHg, however, there were occurrences above and below this range. Conclusion: The trip benefited many individuals while also highlighting the need for a long-term solution by improving the public health infrastructure. It demonstrated the immediate impact possible with short-term intervention while also diagnosing ocular conditions that would require long term management. Without an improvement in access to local care these conditions cannot be successfully treated or managed.

Results of a VOSH Trip to Panama

Background: Optometric services in many parts of the world are unavailable, or when available, limited to those individuals who have the resources and proximity to gain access to them. Recognizing this disparity in availability of eyecare services, teams from developed countries have been volunteering to provide eyecare in these areas with such a need for many years. Over time, these groups have also adopted a mission of enhancing the local infrastructure to create long-term improvement. Method: All records from a VOSH clinical trip to Panama were retrospectively analyzed to determine the prevalence of ocular conditions diagnosed. Results: As expected, the mean refractive error was low hyperopia, however, most astigmatism was oriented against-the-rule. There was also an earlier need for an additional near correction. There were 488 instances of non-refractive ocular conditions documented with cataracts constituting 75.6% of these. Documented measurement of intraocular pressures (IOP) demonstrated most findings fell within the accepted normal range of 11-22mmHg, however, there were occurrences above and below this range. Conclusion: The trip benefited many individuals while also highlighting the need for a long-term solution by improving the public health infrastructure. It demonstrated the immediate impact possible with short-term intervention while also diagnosing ocular conditions that would require long term management. Without an improvement in access to local care these conditions cannot be successfully treated or managed.

Availability of timely methadone treatment in the United States and Canada during COVID-19: A census tract-level analysis

ObjectivesWe sought to compare timely access to methadone treatment in the United States (US) and Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study of census tracts and aggregated dissemination areas (used for rural Canada) within 14 US and 3 Canadian jurisdictions in 2020. We excluded census tracts or areas with a population density of less than one person per square km. Data from a 2020 audit of timely medication access was used to determine clinics accepting new patients within 48 h. Unadjusted and adjusted linear regressions were performed to examine the relationship between area population density and sociodemographic covariates and three outcome variables: 1) driving distance to the nearest methadone clinic accepting new patients, 2) driving distance to the nearest methadone clinic accepting new patients for medication initiation within 48 h, and 3) the difference in the driving distance between the first and second outcome. ResultsWe included 17,611 census tracts and areas with a population density greater than one person per square kilometer. After adjusting for area covariates, US jurisdictions were a median of 11.6 miles (p value <0.001) further from a methadone clinic accepting new patients and 25.1 miles (p value <0.001) further from a clinic accepting new patients within 48 h than Canadian jurisdictions. ConclusionsThese results suggest that the more flexible Canadian regulatory approach to methadone treatment is associated with a greater availability of timely methadone treatment and reduced urban-rural disparity in availability, compared to the US.

Spatial Disparity in Availability of Tuberculosis Diagnostic Services Based on Sector and Level of Care in Nigeria

Background: Delay in Tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis can contribute to late presentation, severe disease, and continued transmission. KNCV TB Foundation Nigeria through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded the TB Local Organization Network (LON) 1 and 2 projects that explored the availability of Tuberculosis services based on sector and levels of care. Methods: TB Patient Pathway Analysis was carried out in 14 states comprising 92 facilities. It involved primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of health care in both the public and private sectors. This was a cross-sectional study under program implementation. Proforma was used to collect data on the available TB diagnostic services. Results: In public health facilities, GeneXpert was available at 100% in tertiary facilities in 8 (57%) states; up to 82% in 4 (33%) states, 50% available at secondary facilities in 2 states, and There is none at the primary facilities. Smear microscopy was available at 100% in tertiary facilities in 9 (64%) states and 3 (25%) states have 50% to 82%; secondary -10 (71%) states have > 70% at facilities; primary 1 (7%) state has it in 61% of facilities. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (TB-LAMP) in tertiary 2 (17%) states have 20% and 100% respectively; secondary 4 (and only 2 states (14%) at tertiary facilities. Only 1 (7%) state has GeneXpert in all tertiary facilities, 2 (14%) states have secondary facilities, and 4 states in about 1% of facilities. TB LAMP was not available in any tertiary facility, one (7%) state at secondary with coverage of 1%, and 2 (14%) states at primary both with 4% overall facility coverage. Conclusions: There is an inequitable distribution of TB diagnostic services in both sectors and levels of care in Nigeria. TB care and control will improve with enhanced equitable distribution of TB diagnostic services across the health system.

Regional Disparity in Health Infrastructure in Bulandshahr District: Block Level Analysis

Health is the most basic human right and its availability to all people without distinction of race, religion, and political belief, economic or social condition should be the highest priority of the government. India, in spite of attaining a successive advancement on economic front still lags behind the global standard to provide better health well-being to its people. The main reason for this highly uneven health gains in the country is because of the regional disparity in availability and accessibility in health services and health infrastructure. Health infrastructure thus is the most important tool to access the health care environment and welfare mechanism of a country. It signifies the investment priority with regards to the creation of health care facilities. Health infrastructure is the foundation to plan, deliver, evaluate and bringing about improvements in public health. The availability and accessibility of public health care services is very much dependent upon the presence of basic infrastructural facilities. The present research paper conducts research on health infrastructure and level of disparity in different blocks of Bulandshahr district of Uttar Pradesh. The data is sourced from the District Statistical Handbook of Bulandshahr District 2020-21. Different health indicators are taken out and calculated with help of Z-Score technique to get the regional disparity on health infrastructural availability at block level in Bulandshahr District. The Arc-View Software is used to get the pattern of high, medium and low availability of health infrastructure in different blocks of the district. The result shows that the urban biasness is present in the district in terms of distribution of health infrastructural facilities. Bulandshahr block, Sikandrabad block, Khurja block and Dibai blocks have better health infrastructure in comparison to other blocks of the district. The newly created Agauta Block is the most backward block in terms of having health infrastructure. Various policy measures are suggested to reduce the regional disparity in health infrastructure and improve the overall health well-being of people.

Socioeconomic Disparities of Low-Cost Air Quality Sensors in California, 2017-2020.

Objectives. To (1) examine the disparity in availability of PurpleAir low-cost air quality sensors in California based on neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES) and exposure to fine particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5), (2) investigate the temporal trend of sensor distribution and operation, and (3) identify priority communities for future sensor distribution. Methods. We obtained census tract-level SES variables and PM2.5 concentrations from the CalEnviroScreen4.0 data set. We obtained real-time PurpleAir sensor data (July 2017-September 2020) to examine sensor distribution and operation. We conducted spatial and temporal analyses at the census tract level to investigate neighborhood SES and PM2.5 concentrations in relation to sensor distribution and operation. Results. The spatial coverage and the number of PurpleAir sensors increased significantly in California. Fewer sensors were distributed in census tracts with lower SES, higher PM2.5, and higher proportions of racial/ethnic minority populations. Furthermore, a large proportion of existing sensors were not in operation at a given time, especially in disadvantaged communities. Conclusions. Disadvantaged communities should be given access to low-cost sensors to fill in spatial gaps of air quality monitoring and address environmental justice concerns. Sensor purchasing and deployment must be paired with regular maintenance to ensure their reliable performance. (Am J Public Health. 2022;112(3):434-442. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306603).

Disparity in Availability of Laboratory Testing for Syphilis Among Different Hospitals in Shandong Province, Eastern China.

The aim of this study was to understand the availability of laboratory testing for syphilis among hospitals in Shandong province. Basic information on hospitals that provide clinical health service for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and the type of laboratory tests for syphilis provided was collected and analyzed using the chi-square test. A total of 410 and 456 hospitals that provided clinical services for STI were surveyed in 2012 and 2018. Significant differences in the availability of nontreponemal tests were observed among different levels (χ2 = 6.624) and types (χ2 = 17.752) of hospitals in 2012, but not in 2018. A significant difference in the availability of treponemal tests was observed among different levels of hospitals in 2012 (χ2 = 9.937) but not in 2018. Significant differences in the availability of nontreponemal tests, titer of nontreponemal tests, and treponemal tests were observed among hospitals with different affiliations in 2018 (P = 0.000; χ2 = 15.274, P < .001; P = .021) but not in 2012. The availability of nontreponemal and treponemal tests for syphilis among hospitals in 2018 was higher than that in 2012 (90.13% vs. 57.56%, χ2 = 121.219). The availability of laboratory testing has been much improved. Further efforts are needed to reduce the disparity in the availability among different hospitals.

Disparity in Availability of Public “General” Secondary Teachers in The City of Dschang And Its Periphery

To effectively meet the demand for education, the Cameroon is called upon to trained teachers and ensure their equitable distribution throughout the country. However, in Menoua Division, the situation is different as compared to the rest of the country. The spatial distribution of teachers per school shows unequal distribution between the town and its periphery. Indeed, while the number of pupils in general secondary schools is increasing. This increase is not accompanied by an increase in the number of teachers. This general shortage does not present itself within the city as compared to its periphery. The principal objective of this reflection is to show the reasons accounting for these disparities. The methodology applies include both qualitative and quantitative data from teachers and administrative officials of general secondary education. The reflection leads to three main results. Firstly, the shortage of teachers couple with the mechanism for assigning teachers favor’s schools in urban area of Dschang to the detriment of its periphery. Secondly, is that secondary school teachers use the loopholes in the teacher assignment to position themselves in urban schools where they avoid the periphery which they stigmatize. Finally, this disparity has many consequences in the demand of education.

Clinical characteristics and health care received among patients with type 2 diabetes attending secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities in Mwanza Region, Tanzania: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundTanzania is among the sub-Saharan African countries facing a tremendous increase in the burden of type 2 diabetes mellitus. In order to provide diabetes health care services, the government has established diabetes care clinics in secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities. However, previous studies have demonstrated a disparity in availability of supplies and equipment for provision of diabetes health care services at these healthcare facilities. This study aims to assess the clinical characteristics and health care received among patients with type 2 diabetes attending secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities in Mwanza Region, Tanzania.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in Mwanza Region from June to September, 2018.Three hundred and thirty patients were selected by systematic random sampling from three healthcare facilities. A structured questionnaire was utilized to collect information on patient characteristics, health care received and patient perception of care. Patient blood pressure, blood glucose, weight and height were measured during the study. Percentages, chi-square tests and multivariable analysis were conducted to obtain the proportions, make comparisons and determining the correlates of tertiary-level healthcare facility.ResultsApproximately half of respondents (54.5%) were from secondary healthcare facilities. The prevalence of hypertension (63.3%), hyperglycemia (95.8%) and obesity (93.3%) were high. The prevalence of hyperglycemia was slightly higher at secondary-level healthcare facility (p = 0.005). The proportion of respondents recently diagnosed with diabetes (≤ 10 years) was significantly higher at tertiary-level healthcare facility (p = 0.000). The prevalence of diabetes related complications was higher at tertiary-level healthcare facility (80.7% versus 53.3%, p = 0.000). Assessments of body weight, blood pressure, blood glucose, feet and eye examination were conducted on a monthly basis at all facilities. None of the respondents had undergone lipid profile testing. All of the respondents (100%) received care from a nurse during diabetes clinic visits and half of the respondents (49.7%) also received care from a clinician. Relatively young patients, married and recently diagnosed patients were more likely to attend clinic at tertiary facilities. Tertiary-level healthcare facilities were more likely to have patients with complications and to have a dietitian available at the clinic.

What do beginning students, in a rurally focused medical course, think about rural practice?

BackgroundMedical schools may select students for their attitudes towards rural medical practice, yet the rural–urban disparity in availability of medical practitioners and services has not diminished in recent times despite government initiatives and increasing numbers being trained for a career in medicine. One medical school, with a focus on rural and remote medicine, aims to select students with positive perceptions for rural medical practice. A research project collected data on the perceptions of these medical students in the first week of their medical studies.MethodsStudents completed a low stakes essay on the life and work of a rural doctor. Initially, this formed part of a literacy assessment to determine any students requiring remediation. All students were asked if they would consent to their essay being reviewed for a research project.Data was obtained from those students who consented and handed their essays in for review. The 103 student essays underwent thematic analysis and sentences were coded into three main themes of rural lifestyle, doctor role and rural practice. Second level themes were further elicited and results were quantified according to whether they were positive or negative. Positive themes included rural lifestyle, doctor role, views of doctor, impact on community, broader work and skills knowledge, and better relationships with community and patients. Negative themes included doctor’s health, pressure on doctor, family problems, greater workload, privacy and confidentiality issues, cultural issues, isolation, limited resources and financial impacts. Quantitisation of this data was used to transform essay sentences into a numerical form which allowed statistical analysis and comparison of perceptions using Z tests.ResultsNo significant differences on the number of positive and negative responses for rural lifestyle and rural practice were found. The rural doctor role had a significantly more positive than negative views. Significant differences were found for positive views of the rural doctor role and negative views of rural practice. Participants from a capital city background reported a significantly higher percentage of responses related to negative views of rural practice than their regional and rural counterparts. Students from capital city areas had significantly more negative views about the rural doctor role, especially related to workload, limited resources and isolation than students from rural and regional areas.ConclusionStudents entering medical school already have both positive and negative views about the life and work of a rural doctor. Those students from capital city areas have significantly more negative views despite being selected to enter a medical course with a rural focus based on their expressed rural perceptions. Further work is required to refine selection criteria and the year level experiences and learning opportunities which may positively influence student perceptions about rural medical practice to overcome early negative perceptions at the beginning of medical school.

Introduction to “Diversity of Child Health Care in Europe: A Study of the European Paediatric Association/Union of National European Paediatric Societies and Associations”

The field of pediatrics in Europe is characterized by the diversities, variations, and heterogeneities of child health care services provided in 53 European countries with more than 200 million children below 18years of age. Managing the health care of infants, children, and adolescents in Europe requires balancing clinical aims, research findings, and socioeconomic goals within a typical environment characterized by cultural and economic complexity and large disparity in availability, affordability, and accessibility of pediatric care. Since its foundation in 1976, the European Paediatric Association-Union of National European Paediatric Societies and Associations has worked to improve both medical care of all children and cooperation of their caretakers in Europe. Such a report has been conceived in the strong belief that broadening of the intellectual basis of the European Paediatric Association-Union of National European Paediatric Societies and Associations and creating a multidisciplinary society will be necessary to reduce fragmentation of pediatrics and tackle the legal, economic, and organizational challenges of child health care in Europe.

Telepsychiatry intervention is better for ADHD symptoms than usual treatment augmented by telemedicine consultation

ABSTRACT FROM: Myers K, Vander Stoep A, Zhou C, et al . Effectiveness of a telehealth service delivery model for treating attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a community-based randomized controlled trial. J Am...

Asthma education material for children and their families; a global survey of current resources

One of the keys to high quality paediatric asthma management is the provision of age appropriate information regarding the disease and its management. In order to determine whether the generation of a minimum dataset of information which can be translated into a wide range of languages might be used to assist children and their parents around the world, we undertook a survey of national Member Societies of the World Allergy Organization (WAO) to determine what educational material on asthma for children and their families already exists.A questionnaire was developed using Survey Monkey and distributed in 2014 to 263 representatives of the WAO member Societies from 95 countries.Thirty-three replies were received from thirty-one countries. The survey highlighted a considerable disparity in availability of material among the responding countries, with some countries reporting that information was freely available in hard copy and online and others reporting a lack of suitable material locally.The results highlight the need to develop a core set of simple, clear and consistent age appropriate information that can be easily translated and delivered in a cultural and educationally effective format.

Access to colorectal cancer screening and treatment: Rural-urban disparity in availability of gastroenterologists, surgeons, and oncologists.

e17534 Background: Although early detection of colorectal cancer using colonoscopy and its treatment can improve outcomes, geographic proximity may influence access to these services. We sought to examine disparities that may exist in colon cancer screening and treatment by comparing the distribution of providers for these services in rural and urban counties in the United States (US). Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed using the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Area Resource File 2009 data. Counties in the US were categorized into “rural” or “urban” using rural-urban continuum codes. The proportion of gastroenterologists, general surgeons and radiation oncologists per 100,000 people in a county was estimated. Multivariate linear regression analysis adjusting for socioeconomic variables was used to estimate the differences in proportions of gastroenterologists, general surgeons and radiation oncologists within these geographic areas. Results: A total of 3220 counties were identified comprising 1,807 “rural” and 1,413 “urban” counties. An unadjusted analysis showed an increased number of gastroenterologists, general surgeons and radiation oncologists per 100,000 of the population in urban counties as compared to rural counties. A multivariable analysis revealed 1.55 [95%CI (1.33-1.77), P&lt;0.0001] more GI specialists, 2.03 [95% CI (1.31-2.76), p&lt;0.0001] more general surgeons and 0.69 [95%CI (0.6-0.78), p&lt;0.0001] more radiation oncologists per 100,000 people living in “urban” compared to “rural “counties. Conclusions: A rural-urban disparity exists in the density of gastroenterologists, general surgeons and radiation oncologists who traditionally provide colorectal cancer screening services or treatment. This might serve to affect access to these services and negatively influence outcomes for colorectal cancer in rural areas.

The European Paediatric Association affiliation with The Journal

The Journal is pleased to announce an affiliation with the European Paediatric Association (EPA). The EPA is an association established in 1976 for practicing general pediatricians in the 40+ national pediatric societies it represents, along with individual members. EPA strives “to provide general pediatricians with the tools and resources they need to improve the quality of care for their young patients.” The Journal seeks “to inform immediate care decisions, deepen knowledge, and advance further scientific discovery to improve the quality of care and the health of infants, children, and adolescents.” Therefore, the mission and objectives of the EPA and The Journal are aligned. Because of the global scope of The Journal, members of EPA will have access to research pertaining to European countries, as well as the broader worldwide scope of investigation and practice to enhance child health. In a new section of The Journal, “European Paediatric Association Pages,” the EPA will publish member announcements, organizational changes, and new initiatives that also may be of interest to the general readership of The Journal. In this issue of The Journal, the first pieces published in this section include an introduction from the president of the EPA, Andreas Konstantopoulos, MD, which provides background information about the EPA and what readers can expect to see in these pages in future issues, as well as a historical piece about the EPA's growth and development by Ehrich et al. The Journal welcomes the members of the EPA as readers, and encourages all readers to find out more about EPA (http://www.epa-unepsa.org/). Article page 373▶ Article page 374▶ The European Paediatric Association Partners with The Journal of Pediatrics to Make Original Research Available to Our MembersThe Journal of PediatricsVol. 161Issue 2PreviewThe European Paediatric Association (EPA) is pleased to announce a new partnership with The Journal of Pediatrics. We are proud to have established an affiliation with this prominent journal, which is published monthly by Elsevier. The Journal's mission is: “Through a rigorous process of evaluation and peer review, The Journal of Pediatrics strives to publish pediatric research of the highest value for a diverse audience of pediatric healthcare professionals... The Journal seeks to inform immediate care decisions, deepen knowledge, and advance further scientific discovery to improve the quality of care and the health of infants, children, and adolescents” ( http://www.jpeds.com/content/missionstatement ). Full-Text PDF Thirty-Six Years of the European Paediatric Association–Union of National European Paediatric Societies and Associations (EPA-UNEPSA)The Journal of PediatricsVol. 161Issue 2PreviewManaging the health care of infants, children, and adolescents in Europe requires balancing clinical aims, research findings, and socioeconomic goals within an international environment characterized by cultural and economic complexity and large disparity in availability, affordability, and accessibility of pediatric care. Since 1976, the European Paediatric Association (EPA), formerly Union of National European Paediatric Societies and Associations (UNEPSA), has been trying to establish this balance, involving almost two generations of European pediatricians. Full-Text PDF

Confronting the data-divide in a time of spatial turns and volunteered geographic information

Geography is enjoying a period of unparalleled visibility, driven by the growing use of geographic methods and concepts across the sciences and humanities—the so-called spatial turn—and the pervasive use of geospatial Web technologies and their concomitant influence on society, especially the phenomenon of volunteered geographic information (VGI). The field of public health is beginning to harness spatiality with gusto; however, the geospatial Web and its social phenomena are underexplored in this context even though they may be particularly useful for public health enquiry, especially in low-resource settings that lack traditional data collection mechanisms. A case study framed within these two current phenomena is presented to illustrate the influence of geography and its potential for addressing the data-divide—the disparity in availability of data for scientific enquiry and decision-making most felt in low-and middle income countries. A facilitated VGI data collection initiative collected public health-related injury data in Cape Town, South Africa, as a pragmatic alternative given the lack of data from traditional sources. Emergency medical services personnel interacted with a GeoWeb interface to volunteer their informed opinions of high-incident injury locations. Previously unrecorded injury location data were created, and combined with traditional injury data for use in an ongoing study examining the environmental determinants of injury in this setting, which speaks to the possibility for hybrid authoritative/asserted data collection strategies. This study speaks to the growing influence of geography and one of its driving forces, the techno-social revolution in geospatial technology and data. Future work should continue to examine their potential to address the data-divide.

Disparity in Availability of Vascular Specialists in Florida and its Effect on Differential Rates of Major Lower Extremity Amputation

Disparity in Availability of Vascular Specialists in Florida and its Effect on Differential Rates of Major Lower Extremity Amputation

Bridging the Bandwidth Gap: Open Educational Resources and the Digital Divide

This paper presents an overview of Digital Divide issues associated with the global disparity in availability and cost of bandwidth. We give examples and discuss the relevance of this to global use of Open Educational Resources. Strategies for mitigating low-bandwidth challenges are discussed.

Barriers to emergency contraception (EC): does promoting EC increase risk for contacting sexually transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS?

The aim of this study was to focus on barriers, controversy and perceived risk associated with use of emergency contraception (EC) after unprotected sexual intercourse. Data were extracted from the literature of the MEDLINE database service. Original articles, surveys, clinical trials and investigations are considered for this review. After the introduction of over-the-counter and advance prescription provisions for easy access to EC, the rural-urban disparity in availability of EC poses a barrier to use of EC for rural dwellers. The socio-economically weaker section of the population is unable to purchase EC because of low or no income, although there is mounting pressure by the State for prevention of unintended pregnancy by use of EC. Some healthcare providers have objected to provide EC to the patient on the grounds of their conscience and morality. Some providers and users have also expressed concerns about the possibility of increase in irresponsible sexual behaviour because of easy access to EC. There may be some truth in their apprehension because nearly 3.2 million unintended pregnancies occur annually despite various contraceptive options available in USA and the extensive use of EC is directly proportional to the volume of unprotected sexual intercourse, which is too directly proportional to the quantum of risk for contacting sexually transmitted infections (STIs)/AIDS. Emergency contraception is a one-off postcoital procedure and not to be opted after every sexual intercourse. Controversy about EC may be resolved if it is used within this limit. Extensive use of EC may increase risk for contacting STIs/AIDS.

T10-O-27 Barriers to emergency contraception (EC): does promoting EC increase risk for contacting STI/AIDS?

Objective The aim of this study is to focus on barriers to access, controversy and perceived risk associated with use of EC after unprotected sexual intercourse. Design and Method Data are extracted from literature of MEDLINE service. Original articles, surveys, clinical trials and investigations are considered for this study. Results Even after introduction of over-the-counter and advance prescription provisions for easy access, rural-urban disparity in availability of EC poses a barrier to use EC for rural dwellers. Socio-economically weaker people are unable to buy EC because of their less or no income, despite mounting pressure for prevention of unintended pregnancy by using EC to save huge medical costs by the State. Some health care providers have objected to provide EC to the patient on the grounds of their conscience and morality. Some providers and users have also expressed concerns about possibility of increase in irresponsible sexual behaviour due to easy access to EC. Their apprehension may have some truth because nearly 3.2 million unintended pregnancies occur annually despite various contraceptive options available in USA and extensive use of EC is directly proportional to the volume of unprotected sexual intercourse, which is directly proportional to the quantum of risk for contacting STI/AIDS. Conclusions EC is one-off, post-coital procedure and not to be opted after every intercourse. EC controversy may be resolved if used within this limit. Extensive EC use may increase risk for contacting STI/AIDS.