Unplanned pregnancy and awareness of emergency contraception: a postpartum period survey

Motivators for emergency contraception: Previous pregnancy and condom rupture

Objectives

Little is known about the motivations to apply for emergency contraception (EC). Our first aim was to explore the motivating circumstances to use EC as fast as possible. Our second aim was to explore the contraceptive method of the population seeking EC.

Study design

This present retrospective observational study between July 2021 and September 2021 is embedded in the MEEC (Motivation and Epidemiology of Emergency Contraceptive Pill) based on the study cohort of a Hungarian data bank containing follow-up data of 455 women applied for EC telemedicine consultation. Variables assessed were: age, gynecological history (pregnancies, abortions, miscarriages), data of the intercourse (elapsed time, contraceptive method), and data of the menstrual cycle, and relationship status.

Results

Of all patients, 59.3 % reported condom rupture, 29.5 % no protection, and 11.2 % other. Patients using condom applied for EC significantly sooner than those using no protection and using other protective methods. A significantly shorter elapsed time was observed in patients with a history of a previous pregnancy. No significant relationship was seen between the way of protection, previous pregnancies, and surprisingly the time of ovulation despite the obvious intention of avoiding pregnancy.

Conclusions

This is the first study to examine the potential role of epidemiologic factors as motivators for EC on the basis of a large patient cohort. Our study demonstrates the significant role of condom rupture/use and the history of previous pregnancies to be the strongest motivators for EC.

After morning, phew! A knowledge, attitudes, and practices survey related to emergency oral contraception in Thai pharmacists

INTRODUCTION

Pharmacists' knowledge and attitude toward Emergency Oral Contraception (EOC) can affect users' access to EOCs, especially where EOCs are provided by pharmacists without the need for prescriptions. We conducted a Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice (KAP) survey on Thai pharmacists to better understand KAP related to EOCs and the correlation among KAP components.

METHODS

An in-depth interview, GoogleTrend search, and Pantip.com search were conducted. The findings, together with data from a previously published systematic review and meta-analysis, were used to develop KAP survey questions which were distributed online. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient and linear mixed model were used to investigate the correlation and association among KAP components.

RESULTS

The in-depth interview with pharmacists showed that sex and unwanted pregnancy are very sensitive topics in Thailand. Sex and EOC education should be provided by parents and healthcare professionals at a young age. This agreed with opinions from Thai internet users that sex literacy was generally low and sex education was not provided adequately. From the total of 421 survey responses, Thai pharmacists had average knowledge, poor attitude, and average practice related to EOCs (median score = 51.02%, 21.81%, and 60.0%, respectively). The correlations between KAP in pharmacists were weak (ρ = 0.107-0.525, p < 0.02). Pharmacists who rated themselves as having higher scores in knowledge and attitude also rated themselves higher in the practice score. However, the total scores describing the knowledge of or attitude toward EOCs were not associated with EOC practice scores.

CONCLUSIONS

In Thai pharmacists, self-rating KAP scores overestimated total KAP scores. The correlation among KAP components was weak. EOC knowledge and attitudes should be promoted, although this may not improve EOC practice in Thai pharmacists.