Authors: Larsson, M.¹; Aneblom, G.¹; Eurenius, K.¹; Westerling, R.²; Tyden, T.²

Source: The European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care, Volume 11, Number 4, December 2006 , pp. 270-276(7)

Publisher: Informa Healthcare

Abstract:

Objective To evaluate a community-based intervention consisting of an information campaign and advance provision of emergency contraceptive pills (ECP) to abortion applicants. Methods Submission of repeated waiting room questionnaires to abortion applicants in two cities in mid-Sweden; one intervention city (IC) and one comparison city (CC) in 2002 (IC = 92, CC = 95) and 2003 (IC = 244, CC = 204). Results The overall response rate was 90%. The percentage of women who had undergone an abortion within the previous year had decreased in the intervention group but not in the comparison group. Almost two-thirds (63%) of the targeted women had noticed the information campaign and one out of three (33%) who had visited a family planning clinic recalled being given information about ECP. There was a small decline in the use of combined oral contraceptives and intrauterine devices over time. After the intervention, women in the intervention city had better knowledge of ECP and had used it more than women in the comparison city did. Conclusions More than half of the targeted women had noticed the information campaign and it may have had a limited impact. Further investigations are needed to determine whether advance supply of ECP to abortion applicants can reduce repeat abortions.

Keywords: Emergency contraception; Abortion applicants; Intervention; Knowledge; Attitude; Practice

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13625180600766347

Affiliations: 1: Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden 2: Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden

Publication date: 2006-12-01

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