Implementation of hormonal contraceptive furnishing in San Francisco community pharmacies.

BACKGROUND: In 2013, California passed Senate Bill 493, which allowed pharmacists to furnish hormonal contraceptives without a physician's prescription. Despite this expanded scope of practice, only 11% of the pharmacies reported furnishing hormonal contraception over the following 6 years. OBJECTIVES: Our study objectives were to determine the extent of hormonal contraceptive furnishing and identify the factors that led to successful implementation in San Francisco community pharmacies. METHODS: Backspace we conducted a cross-sectional survey to identify community pharmacies furnishing hormonal contraception in San Francisco. Interviews were coded inductively to identify consistent themes. Semistructured interviews with pharmacists at the locations that furnished contraception identified the factors that had led to successful implementation in local community pharmacies, as well as assessing changes in practice during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. RESULTS: San Francisco had 113 operational community pharmacies in April 2020. Of these, 21 locations reported that they furnished hormonal contraception (19%), and we interviewed pharmacists at 12 of those locations. We identified 3 key factors that drove implementation at the pharmacy level: administrative support, advertising, and pharmacist engagement. Additional drivers of implementation involved the nature of the community. The respondents also reported on barriers that continued to slow adoption, including consultation fees, time constraints, and patient privacy. Changes in demand for services owing to COVID-19 risks were inconsistent. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest strategies that community pharmacies can use to expand their scope of practice and improve quality and continuity of care for patients.

Providing free pregnancy test kits to community health workers increases distribution of contraceptives: results from an impact evaluation in Madagascar.

OBJECTIVES: To improve access to contraceptives in remote and rural areas, sub-Saharan African countries are allowing community health workers (CHWs) to distribute hormonal contraceptives. Before offering hormonal contraceptives, CHWs must determine pregnancy status but often lack a reliable way to do so. No studies have evaluated the impact of providing CHWs with urine pregnancy test kits. We assessed the impact of giving CHWs free pregnancy test kits on the number of new clients purchasing hormonal contraceptives from CHWs. STUDY DESIGN: We implemented a randomized experiment in Eastern Madagascar among CHWs who sell injectable and oral hormonal contraceptives. A total of 622 CHWs were stratified by region and randomly assigned at the individual level. Treatment-group CHWs were given free pregnancy tests to distribute (n analyzed=272) and control-group CHWs did not receive the tests (n analyzed=263). We estimated an ordinary least-squares regression model, with the monthly number of new hormonal contraceptive clients per CHW as our primary outcome. RESULTS: We find that providing CHWs with free pregnancy test kits increases the number of new hormonal contraceptive clients. Treatment-group CHWs provide hormonal contraceptives to 3.1 new clients per month, compared to 2.5 in the control group. This difference of 0.7 clients per month (95% confidence interval 0.13-1.18; p=.014) represents a 26% increase. CONCLUSIONS: Giving CHWs free pregnancy tests is an effective way to increase distribution of hormonal contraceptives. As pregnancy tests become increasingly affordable for health-care systems in developing countries, community-based distribution programs should consider including the tests as a low-cost addition to CHWs' services. IMPLICATIONS: No study has evaluated the impact of giving CHWs free urine pregnancy test kits for distribution to improve provision of hormonal contraceptives. Giving CHWs free pregnancy test kits significantly increases the number of clients to whom they sell hormonal contraceptives. Community-based distribution programs should consider including these tests among CHWs' services.

Provider Opinions Regarding Expanding Access to Hormonal Contraception in Pharmacies.

PURPOSE: Expanding access to hormonal contraception may reduce the barrier created with the current prescription requirement. The goal of this study was to gain a better understanding of health care providers' opinions on expanding access to hormonal contraception (oral pill, transdermal patch, vaginal ring, and injectable) and the role of pharmacists as direct providers of this reproductive health service. METHODS: A voluntary, self-administered survey was distributed to participating national professional associations' physician and midlevel provider members who provide reproductive health services. Outcomes of providers' opinions on expanded access to hormonal contraception in pharmacies were analyzed by provider type (n = 482). FINDINGS: Almost three-quarters (74%) of the 482 providers surveyed, 76% of physicians and 70% of midlevels, were supportive of expanding access for the pill, patch, and ring contraceptives to include pharmacist-initiated access. Despite overall support for pharmacist-initiated access, more than 70% of respondents were concerned that expanded access would result in decreased reproductive health preventive screening. Slightly fewer providers supported or were neutral towards behind-the-counter (65% for pill/patch/ring, 55% injectable) and over-the-counter (47% for pill/patch/ring, 36% injectable) access than for pharmacist-initiated access. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of reproductive health providers support pharmacist-initiated access to the pill, patch, ring, and injectable contraceptives. There is some support for behind-the-counter and over-the-counter access. Provider concerns about lower rates of reproductive health preventive screenings and pharmacist training issues would need to be appropriately addressed along with any policy changes.

Prescription Birth Control Access Among U.S. Women at Risk of Unintended Pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Access to contraception is a vital component of preventing unintended pregnancies. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of and factors associated with U.S. women's difficulty accessing prescription contraception (pill, patch, or ring). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a nationally representative survey of adult women at risk of unintended pregnancy (aged 18-44, not pregnant or seeking pregnancy, sexually active, not sterilized) using a probability-based web panel. In November to December 2011, 2046 women completed the survey. Weighted proportions were calculated and logistic regression was used to identify covariates associated with difficulty obtaining or refilling prescription contraception. RESULTS: A total of 1385 (68%) women had ever tried to get a prescription for hormonal contraception. Among this population, 29% reported ever having problems obtaining a prescription or refills. In multivariable regression, uninsured (vs. privately insured) and Spanish-speaking (vs. English-speaking) women were significantly more likely to report difficulties; women with a high school degree and those with some college (vs. a college degree or higher) were significantly less likely to report difficulty. Difficulties included cost barriers or lack of insurance (14%), challenges obtaining an appointment or getting to a clinic (13%), the clinician requiring a clinic visit, exam, or Pap smear (13%), not having a regular doctor/clinic (10%), difficulty accessing a pharmacy (4%), and other reasons (4%). CONCLUSIONS: One-third of adult U.S. women who have ever tried to obtain prescription contraception reported access barriers. While the Affordable Care Act may resolve some of these issues, these data indicate that additional factors may still need to be addressed.

Efecto abortive de los anticonceptivos hormonales: una revisión / Abortifacient effect of hormonal contraceptives: a Review

En gran parte de la comunidad científica, así como del ámbito jurídico, al tratar del embrión no nacido, está vigente el criterio según el cual hay que definir el embarazo como el período que comprende sólo desde la implantación hasta el nacimiento natural. Esto lleva consigo otras novedades; por ejemplo, la redefinición de aborto como la eliminación del embrión sólo en ese período, o la extensión de la anticoncepción a cualquier medio que impida la unión entre los gametos como consecuencia de una relación íntima, o también que elimine el producto de la concepción antes de su implantación. De modo que la industria farmacéutica está lanzando al mercado, bajo el nombre de anticonceptivos, productos que actúan también mediante un mecanismo antiimplantatorio. Este hecho tiene grandes repercusiones éticas con relación al respeto del embrión, que obligan a reflexionar acerca de la valoración moral de la prescripción, dispensación y uso de estos medios. Ahora bien, ¿cuáles de los medios contraceptivos actualmente presentes en el mercado incluyen un efecto antiimplantatorio?, ¿qué mecanismos contribuyen a su acción farmacológica y en qué medida lo hacen? Esto es lo que hemos estudiado en este artículo, basándonos en la bibliografía científica disponible. Aunque no ha sido una tarea sencilla, puesto que los resultados aportados por la literatura varían mucho, se ha tratado de ofrecer una conclusión bastante precisa. Básicamente hemos cumplido un doble objetivo: actualizar y completar los estudios -pocos, parciales o lejanos en el tiempo- que tenían este mismo objeto; y ofrecer una valoración ética respecto al respeto de la vida naciente del uso de los anticonceptivos hormonales que pueden tener efecto antiimplantatorio

Most of the scientific community, as well as in a sector of international Law, when referring to the unborn embryo, pregnancy must be defined as the period extending from implantation to natural birth. This implies some novelty, such as the redefinition of abortion as the elimination of the embryo only within this period, and the extension of contraception to any means that impedes the union of the gametes as a consequence of a sexual intercourse, or also that which eliminates the product of conception prior to its implantation. Therefore, the pharmaceutical industry markets, under the name of contraceptives, products that act also by means of an anti-implantation mechanism. This fact has great ethical implications regarding the respect for the embryo which require a reflection on the moral valuation of the prescription, dispensation and use of these means. One may ask: which of the contraceptive means actually present in the market include an anti-implantation effect? What mechanisms contribute to their pharmacological action and in what measure do they do this? This is what we have studied in this article, based on the available scientific bibliography. We have basically fulfilled a double objective: updating and completing the studies -few, partial or distant in time- that had this same subject matter; and offering a moral valuation on the use of hormonal contraceptives that may have an anti-implantation effect, from the point of view of the respect due to the embryonic life

The effects of contraception on female poverty.

Poverty rates are particularly high among households headed by single women, and childbirth is often the event preceding these households' poverty spells. This paper examines the relationship between legal access to the birth control pill and female poverty. We rely on exogenous cross-state variation in the year in which oral contraception became legally available to young, single women. Using census data from 1960 to 1990, we find that having legal access to the birth control pill by age 20 significantly reduces the probability that a woman is subsequently in poverty. We estimate that early legal access to oral contraception reduces female poverty by 0.5 percentage points, even when controlling for completed education, employment status, and household composition.

Hormonal contraception and HIV acquisition - what is the evidence? What are the policy and operational implications?

OBJECTIVES: Family planning (FP) is essential in achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. We critically review the evidence on HIV acquisition among women using hormonal contraception, and discuss the policy and operational implications. METHODS: Longitudinal studies conducted in sub-Saharan Africa published between 2008 and 2012, as well as key policy documents related to contraception and HIV were reviewed. RESULTS: Findings on hormonal contraception and HIV acquisition conducted in sub- Saharan Africa are inconsistent. While in the large scale studies no statistically significant association between oral contraceptive use and HIV acquisition was found, results for injectables were mixed. Potential biases, such as those resulting from self-selection, related to the observational study design and main confounders such as condom use, sexual activity and contraceptive use are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: It is currently not possible to conclude whether the use of hormonal contraceptives is associated with a greater risk of acquiring HIV, or not. The use of male or female condoms for dual protection should be promoted in FP programmes. While there is need for further research on a broader range of contraceptive methods and HIV transmission, studies documenting acceptability of currently less used/more recent contraceptive methods are also warranted.

How does the number of oral contraceptive pill packs dispensed or prescribed affect continuation and other measures of consistent and correct use? A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The review was conducted to examine studies that assess whether the number of pill packs dispensed, or prescribed, affects method continuation and other measures of use. STUDY DESIGN: PubMed database was searched from inception through March 2012 for all peer-reviewed articles, in any language, that examined the effect of the number of oral contraceptive pill packs dispensed on method continuation, and other measures of use. The quality of each study was assessed using the United States Preventive Services Task Force grading system. RESULTS: Four studies met the inclusion criteria for this review. Studies that compared 1 vs. 12, 1 vs. 12-13, or 3 vs. 7 packs found increased method continuation. However, one study that examined the difference between providing one and then three packs versus providing four packs all at once did not find a difference in continuation. In addition to continuation, evidence from the individual studies included found that a greater number of pill packs was associated with fewer pregnancy tests, fewer pregnancies and less cost per client. A greater number of pill packs was, however, also associated with increased pill wastage. CONCLUSIONS: A small body of evidence suggests that dispensing a greater number of oral contraceptive pill packs may increase continuation of use.

A qualitative study of pharmacists' views on offering chlamydia screening to women requesting Emergency Hormonal Contraception.

This was a qualitative study to understand why pharmacists, asked to offer free chlamydia postal screening to Emergency Hormonal Contraception clients, had not offered screening to all eligible women. Twenty-six pharmacists completed exit interviews and 12 agreed to semi-structured in-depth interviews. Although pharmacists were keen to expand their services, they were reluctant to offer chlamydia screening to women who were married or in a long term relationship. To avoid offence they selected women based on age, education and ethnicity. The rationale for chlamydia screening in pharmacy-based EHC schemes is compromised if pharmacists do not offer screening comprehensively.

Ethical, religious and factual beliefs about the supply of emergency hormonal contraception by UK community pharmacists.

BACKGROUND AND METHODOLOGY: Community pharmacists' role in the sale and supply of emergency hormonal contraception (EHC) represents an opportunity to increase EHC availability and utilise pharmacists' expertise but little is known about pharmacists' attendant ethical concerns. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were undertaken with 23 UK pharmacists to explore their views and ethical concerns about EHC. RESULTS: Dispensing EHC was ethically acceptable for almost all pharmacists but beliefs about selling EHC revealed three categories: pharmacists who sold EHC, respected women's autonomy and peers' conscientious objection but feared the consequences of limited EHC availability; contingently selling pharmacists who believed doctors should be first choice for EHC supply but who occasionally supplied and were influenced by women's ages, affluence and genuineness; non-selling pharmacists who believed EHC was abortion and who found selling EHC distressing and ethically problematic. Terminological/factual misunderstandings about EHC were common and discussing ethical issues was difficult for most pharmacists. Religion informed non-selling pharmacists' ethical decisions but other pharmacists prioritised professional responsibilities over their religion. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacists' ethical views on EHC and the influence of religion varied and, together with some pharmacists' reliance upon non-clinical factors, led to a potentially variable supply, which may threaten the prompt availability of EHC. Misunderstandings about EHC perpetuated lay beliefs and potentially threatened correct advice. The influence of subordination and non-selling pharmacists' dispensing EHC may also lead to variable supply and confusion amongst women. Training is needed to address both factual/terminological misunderstandings about EHC and to develop pharmacists' ethical understanding and responsibility.

Factores familiares asociados al uso de anticonceptivos en mujeres adolescentes solteras sexualmente activas / Associated familiar factors to use of contraceptives in sexually active unmarried adolescent women

La información de investigaciones previas sugiere que varios factores familiares están fuertemente asociados al uso continuo de anticonceptivos en mujeres adolescentes, solteras, sexualmente activas. Entre los factores familiares más importantes están: filiación, figura de crianza, calidad de la relación familiar, comunicación familiar en temas sexuales, escolaridad de los padres, control parental. El objetivo del presente estudio fue examinar factores familiares que se asocian al uso consistente de anticonceptivos en adolescentes, solteras sexualmente activas. Se estudió 2021 adolescentes, solteras, sexualmente activas que solicitaron en forma confidencial anticonceptivos en CEMERA, entre los años 1990 a 2001. A todas ellas se les aplicó un cuestionario previamente diseñado, en la primera consulta y que fue completado con entrevistas posteriores. Se revisaron las fichas clínicas de cada una de ellas para conocer el tipo de método anticonceptivo indicado y el tiempo de uso. Se compararon dos grupos: adolescentes que usaron el método indicado por mas de 6 meses, llamadas usuarias continuadoras, y adolescentes que usaron por menos de 6 meses el método, usuarias discontinuadoras. Se seleccionaron 18 variables familiares para comparar ambos grupos. La información recolectada fue ingresada a una base de datos para su análisis. Se realizaron análisis uni y bivariado. El software EPI INFO 6.0 fue utilizado. Los resultados muestran que la filiación, figura de crianza, calidad de la relación familiar, escolaridad de los padres, control parental, tipo de castigo y comunicación familiar no muestran diferencias entre los grupos.

Canadian access to hormonal contraceptive drug choices.

On October 29, 2002, Health Canada issued Guidance for Industry: Clinical Development of Steroidal Contraceptives Used by Women. The original draft of this guideline, published July 4, 2001, included recommendations for clinical trials in excess of those required in Europe and the United States. The proposed requirements, which reflected Health Canada's views, had the potential to discourage contraceptive research in Canada and to block registration of new products. To evaluate the impact of Canada's hormonal contraceptive regulation, a comparative analysis of the availability of products in various countries was performed, along with an evaluation of the time required from submission to approval of a new drug. Women in Canada have access to 35% of the contraceptive products available worldwide and to 37% of the hormonal contraceptives available worldwide, compared with 58% and 59% respectively, in the United States; 52% and 54% respectively, in the United Kingdom; 44% and 54%, respectively, in France; and 44% and 50% respectively, in Sweden. Regarding the more recent contraceptive products available worldwide, women in Denmark have the most choices (67% of available products), whereas women in Canada have the least (only 22% of available products). Eleven of 12 oral contraceptive products recently approved in other countries have either not been submitted for approval in Canada or remain in the Canadian regulatory process. Although the time-to-approval period in Canada, for drugs in general, is 6 months longer than in the United States, the mean lag time for 6 contraceptive products is 29.6 months as of January 1, 2004, and no oral contraceptives have been approved in Canada since 1997.

Provider resistance to advance provision of oral contraceptives in Africa.

CONTEXT: In Africa, many new family planning clients are not menstruating at the time they present for services. Where pregnancy tests are unavailable, clients are often denied their method of choice and sent home to await menses. For pill clients, one obvious solution is 'advance provision' of oral contraceptives for later use. However, this practice is rare in Africa. OBJECTIVE: To assess the level of provider resistance to advance provision of oral contraceptives. DESIGN: We added questions about advance provision of pills to five provider surveys in three African countries. We also used simulated clients in Ghana to assess provider resistance to the practice. RESULTS: In Kenya, only 16% of providers thought it safe to give women oral contraceptives to be started at a later date. In Ghana and Senegal, fewer than 5% of providers mentioned advance provision as a way to manage non-menstruating pill clients. CONCLUSION: Training programmes and service delivery guidelines in developing countries should provide for advance provision of pills to appropriate clients

Provision of hormonal contraceptives without a mandatory pelvic examination: the first stop demonstration project.

CONTEXT: First Stop, an 18-month demonstration project that operated in 1996-1997, was designed to offer low-income adult women in California hormonal contraceptives without requiring a pelvic examination. METHODS: An evaluation was undertaken to assess the contraceptives adopted by First Stop clients, compare health risks of these women with risks among women using traditional family planning clinics and assess clients'satisfaction. Data on 2,065 First Stop clients and 1,507 women attending traditional clinics were collected through several self- and clinician-administered instruments, including questionnaires, a telephone survey and medical chart abstractions. RESULTS: After the initial First Stop visit, 38% of women adopted a more effective method than they had used at last sex, 4 7% remained with the same method, 12% switched to a less-effective method and 3% accepted no method. Of clients who were referred for additional medical care, 73% followed through on their referrals. Compared with clients at traditional clinics, First Stop clients were less likely to have a regular source of health care, but more likely to have made a health care visit in the past year. Most First Stop clients valued the project's services; 76% said it was important to be able to receive pills or injections without a pelvic examination. CONCLUSIONS: Programs that provide hormonal contraceptives without requiring a pelvic examination can expand low-income women's access to these methods and improve the chances that they will obtain other reproductive health services.