The label on dispensed medicines should provide the patient with clear and complete instructions on how to take the drugs. Without sufficient knowledge about risks and benefits of using medicines, people will often not receive the expected clinical outcomes and may suffer adverse effects. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of labeling and patient knowledge of dispensed drugs in Jimma University Specialized Hospital. A cross-sectional prospective study was conducted from January 19 to February 24, 2009. Quality of labeling was assessed by calculating the mean labeling scores. The patient knowledge scores were obtained from patient recall of knowledge indicators. Mean dispensing and dispensing counseling was calculated. A total of 640 drugs were prescribed for 384 patients, and 544 (85.0%) were actually dispensed. The mean labeling score of the dispensed drugs was found to be 3.3 out of 7 essential dispensing quality attributes. All of the dispensed drugs were labeled with their generic name, while no drug was labeled with the patient's name. The remaining labeling attributes such as strength (91.9%), duration of treatment (57.4%), frequency (47.4%), dose (38.6%), and amount of the drugs (15.8%) were written on dispensed drugs. The mean patient knowledge score was 3.7 out of 7. Routes of administration (100.0%), dose (96.1%), frequency (95.5%), reason for prescribing (89.3%), duration of treatment (49.6%), and name of medicine (15.1%) were recalled among the dispensed drugs. The mean dispensing and dispensing counseling times were found to be 130.2 and 29.2 seconds, respectively. Patients' knowledge was satisfactory. However, labeling of dispensed drugs was the main problem identified. Dispensing counseling time was also too short to allow for optimal information to be given on drugs and answering questions from patients.

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> With global expansion of contraceptive information and services, contraceptive technologies have continually improved and contraceptive prevalence has risen throughout most of the world. Emergency contraceptive pills have become more available in many developing countries. However, limited provider knowledge and negative attitudes, as well as poor user awareness and access, have hindered clients in learning about and using it. The aim of the present study is to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of EC and also barriers to its use among the antenatal care attendees of Sululta health centers.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> A cross sectional study was conducted in Sululta health centres from January to February 2013/2014. Eighty seven Antenatal care attendees were interviewed. Pretested and structured questionnaire was used to collect data.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Of the 87 women included in the study 23 (26.4%) reported that the current pregnancy was unplanned and 5 (5.7%) reported that they had induced abortion in the previous years. Of the study participants 25 (28.7%) had ever heard about EC. Whereas only 6 (6.9%) of the women had actually used EC. The preferred places for the provision of EC were public hospitals 2 (8%), health centers 17(68%), private clinics 3 (12%) &amp; pharmacies 11 (44%).</p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> This study showed that the major barrier to the use of EC is lack of awareness &amp; also there is demand for education.