Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #118011

Rob S. Hemmick, MD, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd MDC56, Tampa, FL 33612 and Susan K. McCarthy, PhD, School of Health Promotion and Human Performance, Eastern Michigan University, 319C Porter Bldg., Ypsilanti, MI 48197, 734-487-7120, ext.2728, susan.mccarthy@emich.edu.

This study used the stages of change model to assess the readiness of university and college student health centers to provide services for Emergency Contraceptive Pills (EC Pills). Various factors related to the provision of services for EC Pills were examined. A telephone survey was conducted of 43 Florida universities and colleges which had student health centers. Thirty of the 43 schools participated in the study (response rate =70%). Frequency distribution, crosstabs and Pearson chi-square were used for the statistical analysis of the data. One-third (33.3%) of the student health centers provided EC Pills. Their practices pertaining to pill brands, advance prescriptions, restrictions, written policy, printed materials, routine contraceptive counseling, and publicity were identified. Two-thirds (66.6%) of the student health centers did not provide EC Pills and the barriers for not doing so as well as their practices related to referrals, printed materials, routine contraceptive counseling and written policy were identified. The use of the stages of change model was helpful in determining the readiness status of university and college student health centers to provide EC Pills and various practices related to them. Use of the model also helped to identify specific barriers to the provision of EC Pills as well as practices related to them. This information can be used to design educational and advocacy strategies for student health centers in order to target specific barriers to the provision of EC Pills and practices related to them.

Learning Objectives:

• To recognize practices related to the provision of EC Pills at university and college student health centers.
• To describe the use of the stages of change model to readiness of student health centers to provide EC Pills and practices related to them.
• To identify specific barriers to the provision of EC Pills and practices related to them.

Keywords: Contraception, College Students

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.