Pharmacist recommendations for emergency contraception in Belgium: a simulated user study.
Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care
; 29(4): 177-181, 2024 Aug.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38721704
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Emergency contraception reduces the risk of unintended pregnancy, after unprotected sexual intercourse or contraceptive failure. In Belgium, emergency contraception is available without a prescription and pharmacists play therefore a crucial role in dispensing emergency contraception.AIM:
This study assesses the dispensing practices of emergency contraception by pharmacists in two regions of Belgium. METHOD ANDDESIGN:
Simulated patient study, using a predefined scenario, evaluating a request for emergency contraception. The scenario involves a 25-year-old woman not using contraception, who had unprotected sexual intercourse 84 h (3.5 days) ago. Her last menstrual period was 10 days ago. POPULATION 260 pharmacies were randomly selected. Principaloutcome:
proportion of pharmacists who deliver the adequate emergency contraception. We considered the following responses as adequate Prescribing ulipristal acetate or redirecting to another pharmacy, in case of unavailability, or referring for a copper IUD.RESULTS:
We analysed the data obtained in 216 pharmacies (216/260 = 83.1%). In 64% of cases, adequate dispensing of emergency contraception (dispensing of ulipristal acetate or referral for intrauterine device insertion) occurred. There was an association between correct dispensing and asking appropriate questions, such as the date of the last menstrual period and the date of the risky sexual intercourse.CONCLUSION:
More than one-third of visited pharmacies did not distribute appropriate emergency contraception, underlining the need for improvement. We hypothesise that this may be achieved with appropriate training, use a dispensing checklist.
We assesses the dispensing of emergency contraception by pharmacists using a simulated patient. More than one-third of visited pharmacies did not distribute appropriate emergency contraception, underlining the need for improvement.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Farmacêuticos
/
Simulação de Paciente
/
Anticoncepção Pós-Coito
/
Norpregnadienos
Limite:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Pregnancy
País/Região como assunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care
Assunto da revista:
MEDICINA REPRODUTIVA
/
SERVICOS DE PLANEJAMENTO FAMILIAR
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Bélgica
País de publicação:
Reino Unido