Pharmacists' knowledge and the difficulty of obtaining emergency contraception.

This cross-sectional study was performed to examine knowledge and attitudes among pharmacists about emergency contraception (EC) and determine the factors associated with their provision of EC. A random systematic sampling method was used to obtain a sample (N = 320) of pharmacies in Pennsylvania. A "mystery shopper" telephone survey method was utilized. Only 35% of pharmacists stated that they would be able to fill a prescription for EC that day. Also, many community pharmacists do not have sufficient or accurate information about EC. In a logistic regression model, pharmacists' lack of information relates to the low proportion of pharmacists able to dispense it. In conclusion, access to EC from community pharmacists in Pennsylvania is severely limited. Interventions to improve timely access to EC involve increased education for pharmacists, as well as increased community request for these products as an incentive for pharmacists to stock them.

Under-use of emergency contraception for victims of sexual assault.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 700,000 women in the reproductive age group are victims of sexual assault in the United States per year. Between 1% and 5% of sexual assaults result in pregnancy, for a total of 32,000 pregnancies per year. Of these, 14,000 are aborted because of incest or rape. OBJECTIVE: To determine the percent of emergency departments in the state of Pennsylvania offering routine counseling and provision of emergency contraception to victims of sexual assault. Secondary objectives were to compare provision practices for Catholic versus non-Catholic hospitals, and to compare these practices with other services, such as sexually transmitted disease prophylaxis and sexual assault counseling. METHODS: A 15-item survey instrument was designed to determine the volume of sexual assault patients seen per year, routinely offered services, and emergency contraception protocols. Three telephone callers administered surveys, using a pre-designed script for each call. RESULTS: Of the 165 eligible hospitals, 125 (76%) replied. Less than half (42%) of all hospitals routinely offer emergency contraception counseling, and 16% of the hospitals did not offer any counseling regarding emergency contraception. CONCLUSION: Provision of emergency contraception to victims of sexual assault is inconsistent and insufficient. It is important that sexual assault patients not be further victimized by a system that fails to meet their needs.