The ECP Handbook provides comprehensive guidance to help managers of integrated reproductive health programmes, health care directors, and policymakers introduce emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) within local and national family planning programmes. Operations research has demonstrated the feasibility and acceptability of ECPs as a way of preventing unintended pregnancy following unprotected sex or failure of an existing contraceptive method. The handbook presents a step-by-step process for introducing ECPs that can be adapted to each country’s needs and resources. The process, based on research conducted in several developing countries, covers the full continuum of ECP programming, including the following:
• Needs assessments and operations research
• Drug registration
• Training and logistics
• Introduction of ECP scale-up

Additionally, the handbook discusses ways to address the needs of specific segments of the population, including special groups, such as adolescents and rape survivors. The handbook contains four sections:

1. Introduction and Background' describes the existing situation of ECP programming around the globe.
2. Addressing the Needs of Specific Populations' describes programming approaches designed for specific populations.
3. Introducing and Mainstreaming ECPs' describes five chronological steps for making ECP programming an integral component of a national reproductive health programme.
4. The 'Bibliography' lists resources for ECP programming.

A CD-ROM of the handbook is available upon request at publications@popcouncil.org

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Email from Sarah Campbell to The Communication Initiative on April 3 2009.