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Knowledge and Use of Emergency Contraception in College Women
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Knowledge and Use of Emergency Contraception in College Women

Melissa Lehan Mackin, M. Kathleen Clark, Ann Marie McCarthy and Karen Farris
Western journal of nursing research, Vol.37(4), pp.462-480
04/01/2015
DOI: 10.1177/0193945914551005
PMCID: PMC4344876
PMID: 25234943
url
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/4344876View
Open Access

Abstract

Despite the value of emergency contraception (EC) in reducing unintended pregnancy, use in college women has not been widely studied. This exploratory descriptive study, using a web-based survey, described knowledge and use of EC in 2,007 college women and identified associations between selected personal characteristics and EC use. Most women (72.2%) knew EC could be obtained over the counter and was most effective within 72 hr of intercourse (93%). Women inaccurately thought EC was effective through the first trimester of pregnancy (87.1%) and could cause birth defects (27.8%). Among sexually active women, 37% reported use. Experiencing a false alarm pregnancy, knowing that EC was available over the counter, and being Asian/Pacific Islander were positively associated with use. Additional studies should explore the utility of EC in other populations and efforts should be stepped up to provide accurate information about access and mechanism of use.
Nursing Life Sciences & Biomedicine Science & Technology

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