Advantages and disadvantages of over-the-counter availability of emergency contraception.
OBJECTIVES: To compare usage patterns, accessibility and knowledge about over-the counter (OTC) emergency contraception (EC) in comparison to prescription-only EC.
DESIGN AND SETTING: Self-designed, paper-based validated questionnaires containing 26 questions were distributed among students and high school pupils in Poland (PL) - 1000 questionnaires and in Lithuania (LT) - 650. In Lithuania EC is available OTC, whereas in Poland EC is a prescription-only drug. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS software with p<0.05 considered significant.
RESULTS: 74.01% of Poles and 70.89% of Lithuanians reported a history of sexual activity. About one third of the respondents in both countries used EC at least once in a lifetime (PL: 29.01%, LT: 32.2%; p>0.05). The main reason for EC usage in both countries was a broken condom (PL: 60.63%, LT: 57.66 %; p>0.05). In case of emergency more than half of the questioned women in both countries would use EC pill. The knowledge about EC was significantly lower in Poland (PL median - 8 out of 16; LT - 10 out of 16 true/false statements; p<0.01).
CONCLUSIONS: Over-the-counter availability of EC does not cause repetitive or increased usage. Moreover, an easier access to EC improves patients' knowledge about the drug....
Citation
Bumbul E, Starek M, Szymusik I, Pietrzak B, Bumbuliene Z, Kosinska-Kaczynska K, Wielgos M. Advantages and disadvantages of over-the-counter availability of emergency contraception. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2013 Jan; 34(7): 655-659