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Impact of emergency contraception status on unintended pregnancy: observational data from a women's health practice

Nalin Payakachat1, Denise Ragland2, Cherri Houston3

  1. 1Division of a Pharmaceutical Evaluation and Policy, Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States.
  2. 2Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States.
  3. 3College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States.

Received: 07-05-2010; Accepted: 21-07-2010.

Volume 8, Issue 3 · pp. 173–178 · PUBLISHED Jul-Sep 2010 · DOI:

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ABSTRACT

Objective: This study aimed to determine if nonprescription emergency contraception (EC) availability impacted self-reported unintended pregnancy rates and to assess women's knowledge and awareness of EC prior to and after nonprescription availability. Methods: A survey regarding contraception use and knowledge was verbally administered to a cross-sectional, convenience sample of 272 pregnant women receiving prenatal care at a large urban community women's clinic between August 2003 and October 2008. Statistical analyses determined the differences between two groups (before [BA] and after [AA] non-prescription EC availability in the U.S. drug market) in terms of self-reported unintended pregnancy rates, knowledge and awareness of EC. Results: The AA group reported higher incidence of unintended pregnancy when compared to the BA group (90.7% vs. 72.7%, P = 0.0172). The majority of both groups reported that they were not using any contraception at the time of conception (BA-84.4%; AA-83.3%). There was no significant difference in the participants' awareness of EC between the two groups (BA-46.8% vs. AA-43.0%) nor was there a significant difference between the two groups in the self-reported willingness to use EC in the future (BA-53.1% vs. AA-63.4%). However, among participants who were unaware of EC, 61% reported they would consider using it in the future after receiving brief EC counseling from a pharmacist or student pharmacist. Neither age nor pregnancy intention was associated with self-reported EC awareness but there was an association with income (P = 0.0410) and education (P = 0.0021). Conclusion: The change from prescription-only to non-prescription status of EC in the U.S. drug market did not impact the unintended pregnancy rate in this patient population. Lack of knowledge and awareness is still a major barrier to widespread EC use.

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    Payakachat, N., Ragland, D., & Houston, C. (2010). Impact of emergency contraception status on unintended pregnancy: observational data from a women's health practice. Pharmacy Practice, 8(3), 173–178.