Emergency contraception: pediatricians' knowledge, attitudes, and opinions

Emergency contraception (EC) is the use of a method of contraception after unprotected intercourse to prevent unintended pregnancy. Although first described over 20 years ago, physician awareness of EC has been limited and many feel uncomfortable prescribing it.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and opinions of practicing pediatricians regarding the use of EC in adolescents.

METHODS

An anonymous questionnaire was mailed to all 954 active members of New York Chapter 2, District II of the American Academy of Pediatrics. The questionnaire assessed basic knowledge, attitudes, and opinions regarding EC in adolescents. Data were analyzed by physician age, gender, year completed residency, and practice type.

RESULTS

Two hundred thirty-three practicing pediatricians (24.4%) completed the survey. Of the respondents, 23.7% had been asked to prescribe EC to an adolescent and 49% of these cases involved a rape victim. Only 16.7% of pediatricians routinely counsel adolescent patients about the availability of EC, with female pediatricians more likely to do so. Most respondents (72.9%) were unable to identify any of the Food and Drug Administration-approved methods of EC. Only 27.9% correctly identified the timing for its initiation and only 31.6% of respondents felt comfortable prescribing EC. Inexperience with use was cited as the primary reason for not prescribing EC by 70% of respondents. Twelve percent cited moral or religious reasons and 17% were concerned about teratogenic effects. There were no differences in comfort level based on age, gender, or practice type. Twenty-two percent of respondents believed that providing EC encourages adolescent risk-taking behavior and 52.4% would restrict the number of times they would dispense EC to an individual patient. A minority of respondents (17%) believed that adolescents should have EC available at home to use if necessary and only 19.6% believed that EC should be available without a prescription. The vast majority (87.5%) were interested in learning more about EC.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the safety and efficacy of EC, the low rate of use is of concern. Pediatricians are being confronted with the decision to prescribe EC but do not feel comfortable prescribing it because of inadequate training in its use. Practicing pediatricians are aware of their lack of experience and are interested in improving their knowledge base.

Hyperendemic penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae genital infections in an inner city population

PURPOSE

To determine: 1) the proportion of Neisseria gonorrhoeae caused by penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae (PPNG) in our inner-city population; 2) any difference in the isolation rates of PPNG between adolescents and adults; 3) co-infection rates with Chlamydia trachomatis in this adolescent population; and 4) the appropriateness of current CDC recommendations for initial treatment of patients with suspected gonococcal infection.

METHODS

Genital cultures for GC were obtained from 1990 patients seen in the emergency room or primary care clinics. Of these, 285 were adolescents between 12 and 19 years of age. All adolescent patients were tested for chlamydial infection. Comparisons of gonococcal infection rates were made between adults and adolescents and between males and females. The rates of symptomatic versus asymptomatic adolescents were compared.

RESULTS

Genital cultures were positive for GC in 13% of the patients tested. Of these, 51% were identified as being caused by PPNG. Among the adolescents, cultures were positive in 25%, and 63% of these were identified as PPNG. The rate of PPNG was significantly higher in adolescents than in adults. The rate of PPNG was highest in adolescent females and lowest in adult males. There was no difference in the rate of PPNG between adolescents and adult males. Of the 71 adolescents with GC, 58% were coinfected with C. trachomatis. Adolescents with PPNG had a higher rate of concomitant infection with C. trachomatis than those with a penicillin-sensitive strain. Adolescents with N. gonorrhoeae were more likely to be infected with PPNG if they had GU symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data supports the most recent CDC recommendations that the initial treatment for suspected N. gonorrhoeae be effective against PPNG. Furthermore, chlamydia screening and treatment is warranted in patients suspected of having an STD.

Depression, self-esteem, and life events in adolescents with chronic diseases

This study assesses whether nonhospitalized adolescents with chronic diseases differ from their healthy peers on standardized measurements of depression, self-esteem, and life events. The study group consisted of 80 patients (20 with sickle cell disease, 40 with asthma, and 20 with diabetes). All patients had been admitted at least twice in the preceding year, had their disease for at least 2 years, and were between the ages of 12 and 18. The control group consisted of 100 adolescents, matched for age and socioeconomic status, from local schools. All subjects completed a questionnaire compiled from the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Rosenberg Scale of Self-Esteem, and the McCutcheon Life Events Checklist. Adolescents with chronic disease had higher depression scores (p less than 0.001) and lower self-esteem (p less than 0.001) than their healthy age-matched controls. There was no statistically significant difference in life events between the chronic disease and control groups. Depression, self-esteem, and life events did not differ significantly among the three disease groups. These findings suggest a need for intervention strategies to address depression and low self-esteem in adolescents with chronic disease.