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  • Title: Knowledge of and perceived access to emergency contraception at two urgent care clinics in California.
    Author: Schwarz EB, Reeves MF, Gerbert B, Gonzales R.
    Journal: Contraception; 2007 Mar; 75(3):209-13. PubMed ID: 17303491.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: California allowed women access to emergency contraception (EC) without a physicians' prescription in 2002. METHODS: To assess knowledge of and perceived access to EC among California women outside of family planning settings, we administered a computerized survey to women, age 18-45 years, who could become pregnant, in the waiting areas of two urgent care clinics in San Francisco in 2005. RESULTS: Four hundred forty-six women were enrolled. Most women [87%; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 83-89%] in this well-educated (48% had college degrees), ethnically diverse sample knew that a postcoital contraceptive exists. However, many women (32%; 95% CI, 28-37%) did not know EC is currently available in California. Only 49% of women knew that using EC will have no adverse effect on their future fertility and only 15% knew that EC will not cause a miscarriage or birth defects if used by a woman who is pregnant. Seven percent thought EC was not at all effective and 27% thought EC was somewhat or very unsafe. Eight percent had EC at home for future use. CONCLUSIONS: Functional knowledge of EC remains limited in California. Public education campaigns are needed to allow women to benefit from pharmacy direct access to EC.
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