The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #56992

Terri L. Walsh, MPH¹, Christy Holloway², Elizabeth Suden, MA³, and Dawn Ginzl, MPH¹. (1) Research Division, California Family Health Council, Inc., 3600 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 600, Los Angeles, CA 90010, (2) Research, California Family Health Council, Inc, 3600 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 600, Los Angeles, CA 90010, (3) Research Division, California Family Health Council, 2550 9th Street, Suite 203, Berkeley, CA 94710, 510.647.0632, ext 202, sudenl@cfhc.org

STUDY OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the effect of advance provision of Emergency Contraception (EC) on contraceptive compliance and assessed whether advance provision of EC increases the use of EC. METHODS: This was a randomized clinical trial that compared EC use and contraceptive compliance of patients given EC in advance of need with patients given information only. We collaborated with over twenty family planning clinics throughout the state of California. Over 10,000 English- and Spanish-speaking women seeking gynecologic services other than obstetric care were enrolled in the study after giving their informed consent. Women were recruited from over 25 Family Planning clinics throughout the state of California. Half (5,000) received a packet containing EC product and instructions while the other half (5,000) received an identical appearing packet containing EC information only. Clinicians did not know the contents of the packet they gave to their patients. Approximately four months after the enrollment visit, about 10% of the participants (1,000) completed a 10-minute phone interview. The phone interview included questions about whether the participant had unprotected intercourse or a contraceptive failure, whether EC was used and, if so, how it was self-administered. The interview also contained several questions about the participant’s knowledge and attitude about EC. Enrollment started in November 2002 and finished in Spring 2003. CONCLUSION: We have identified attitudes and beliefs of women that either promote or hinder use of EC as well as assessed whether women use EC correctly when it is provided in advance of need.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this session, the participant will be able to:
• Identify 4 attitudes and beliefs of women that promote the use of EC.
• Assess whether women use EC correctly when provided in advance of need.
• Assess whether advance provision of EC increases the use of EC.
• Evaluate the effect of advance provison of EC on contraceptive compliance.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.