Sexual and Contraceptive Behaviors among Adolescents Requesting Emergency Contraception

Nursing Students' Knowledge, Awareness, and Experiences of Emergency Contraception Pills' Use

The emergency contraception pill (ECP) is a non-prescribed medication in Spain. However, there is not enough evidence of its use among young people to define sex education contents. The aims of this research were to describe the experiences of the use of the ECP in university students and analyze their knowledge, attitude, and awareness regarding the ECP. The cross-sectional, analytic study was conducted with nursing degree students at the University of Seville. A total of 478 students answered the questionnaire. All of the students (100%) had heard about the ECP and had a positive attitude towards this contraceptive. A total of 25.7% had used the ECP, mainly because a condom had failed or because they did not use any contraceptive at all. Deficiencies in knowledge are related with the ECPs' mechanism of action, efficacy after repeated use, and the type of ECP available. Female students who used no method at all or withdrawal, and who were over 20 years old, used ECP to a greater extent (p < 0.005). Further education initiatives focused on the use of the ECP, its efficacy, and typology are needed, particularly among future health professionals who will later educate other young people.

Postpartum and post-abortion contraceptive use among unmarried young women in Ghana

Pregnancy outcomes impact subsequent contraceptive behaviour. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between previous pregnancy outcomes and subsequent contraceptive behaviours among unmarried young women intending to delay childbearing. Using data from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey, among 1118 sexually experienced, fecund and non-pregnant unmarried women aged 15-24 years, the study assessed how childbirth and abortion are related to sexual abstinence and use of modern contraception. While about 70% of unmarried young women were nulligravid, approximately 11% had had an abortion and 18.2% were postpartum. The majority of respondents were sexually abstinent while 21% and 27% were using and not using contraception, respectively. Postpartum women were more likely than nulligravid and post-abortion women to use contraceptives. Post-abortion women were least likely to be sexually abstinent. Number of years since the respondent's sexual debut was positively associated with the likelihood of using modern contraception, particularly among postpartum women, and negatively associated with sexual abstinence among those who had aborted. The findings show that prior pregnancy outcomes have significant implications for secondary abstinence and contraceptive use among unmarried young women in Ghana. Post-abortion women are more likely than postpartum women to be sexually active but less likely to use contraceptives. Efforts must be strengthened towards increasing access to modern contraceptives for young women who present for abortion in Ghana.

Emergency Contraception Use in School-Based Health Centers: A Qualitative Study

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To understand contraceptive behaviors and decision-making in school-based health center (SBHC) female patients who have used emergency contraception (EC).

DESIGN

Qualitative interviews and questionnaires.

SETTING

SBHCs.

PARTICIPANTS

Female adolescents, who self-reported EC use, were recruited from SBHCs.

INTERVENTIONS

Interviews were conducted until thematic saturation was reached on the following themes: reasons for selecting EC, perceived EC efficacy, reasons for use, nonuse, or inconsistent use of nonemergent contraception (NEC), and beliefs surrounding pregnancy risk.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The team used a modified grounded theory approach and open coding technique to identify common themes. Participants completed a questionnaire to assess demographic information and EC knowledge.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight interviews were completed. Reasons for using EC include not using another contraceptive method, using another method incorrectly, or in combination with another method for added protection. Reasons for EC preference include ease of administration, ease of access, minimal side effects, perceived high efficacy, and because it can be used discreetly. Use of NEC was supported by identifying it as more effective, increased sexual experience and anticipation of sex, belief that excess EC decreases efficacy or is detrimental to health, and social interactions. Participants reported having used EC a mean of 3.5 times. Eighteen of 28 participants (65%) incorrectly believed that EC is 90%-99% effective, and 15 of 28 participants (53%) correctly identified ovulation inhibition as the mechanism of action.

CONCLUSION

EC use is promoted by ease of access and administration, experiencing minimal side effects, and perceived high efficacy. Compliance issues with NEC and condoms and a desire for a discreet contraceptive method support EC use.