Effect of a health education intervention on the demand for emergency contraception

Background and objective: Emergency contraception seeks to prevent pregnancy after high-risk sexual intercourse. Although intended only for exceptional cases, there is evidence that emergency contraception is being used often. This study aimed to evaluate an educational intervention to reduce the percentage of reuse of emergency contraception. Methods: Prospective comparative study carried out from October 2006 to October 2007. For all patients visiting our primary care emergency clinic asking for emergency contraception, we recorded age, number of such requests made previously, and time elapsed between requests. The women were informed about the effects of emergency contraception, told that it was not an ideal method of regular contraception, and instructed to see a gynecologist for evaluation of the results. We also asked permission to telephone the women so they could respond to a survey questionnaire. The ji(2) test was used to compare data between groups; the effect of the intervention was assessed by comparing the percentage of the intervention group reporting use of emergency contraception previously to the percentage making new requests during the follow-up period, so as to determine the reduction in absolute and relative risk. Results: A total of 374 emergency contraception requests were processed. The mean (SD) age was 24.5 (6.8) years; the rate of repeat requests in the first 6 months was 34.0%. Forty-seven women refused to participate; 115 agreed to participate but did not respond to the survey. Of the 212 patients surveyed, 192 (90.6%) reported having received information, 187 (88.2%) had read the brochure, 79 (37.3%) had seen a gynecologist, and 19 (9%) asked for emergency contraception again within 6 months. There was an absolute reduction of 25.0% in new requests for emergency contraception (relative reduction, 73.5%). Conclusions: This study shows that an educational intervention in emergency department can reduce the use of this method of contraception. [Emergencias 2011;23:99-103]