Use of and attitudes towards emergency contraception: A survey of women in five European countries. (April 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nappi, Rossella E.; Lobo Abascal, Paloma; Mansour, Diana; Rabe, Thomas; Shojai, Raha
• Is Part Of: European journal of contraception & reproductive health care. Volume 19:Number 2(2014:Apr.)
• Page Start: 93
• Page End: 101
• Publication Date: 2014-04
• Subjects: Contraception -- Periodicals; Reproductive health -- Periodicals; Generative organs, Female -- Periodicals; Contraception -- Periodicals; Reproductive Medicine -- Periodicals; 613.9
• DOI: 10.3109/13625187.2013.865164
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1362-5187

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <bold>Objective</bold> To identify knowledge of and attitudes towards emergency contraception (EC) in women from five European countries.</p> <p> <bold>Methods</bold> In an internet-based survey, sexually active women aged 16 to 46 years from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK were asked about their use of and opinions on EC.</p> <p> <bold>Results</bold> Overall, 7170 women completed the survey. Thirty percent reported having had unprotected sexual intercourse during the previous 12 months (population at risk). Twenty-four percent of the population at-risk reported using EC. The most common reasons given for not using EC were: not perceiving themselves to be at risk of pregnancy; and not thinking about EC as an option. A third of respondents indicated they did not know how EC works, with several misconceptions about EC noted e.g., leading to infertility, similar to abortion. Seventy-nine percent of women agreed that EC is a responsible choice to prevent unwanted pregnancy, but nearly a third of women who used EC felt uncomfortable or judged when obtaining it.</p> <p> <bold>Conclusions</bold> EC is underutilised by three-quarters of the women surveyed. Women do not recognise they may be at risk of pregnancy when contraception fails. There are still several misbeliefs about EC indicating a need for better education of the public.</p> </abstract>