Emergency contraception pills (ECPs): current trends in United States college health centers

Background: Access to emergency contraception pills (ECPs) could drastically reduce the high rates of unintended pregnancies in college women. Methods: In spring 2001, a survey was distributed to 139 US college health centers to assess availability of ECPs. Those that prescribed ECPs provided additional information about health center distribution policies and procedures, provider practice patterns, advertising and staff attitudes. Those that did not offer ECPs were asked to state reasons for not providing this service and whether FDA approval of dedicated emergency contraception products might promote availability. Results: The majority of campuses (66.9%) prescribe ECPs; however, many barriers exist to access. Campuses not prescribing ECPs cited moral conviction (56.5%) as a main reason for not providing this service: Staff and administration attitudes appear to play a major role in whether campuses make ECPs available to their students. Interpretation:. Despite recent advances leading to increased availability of ECPs among college health centers, a number of campuses still do not prescribe. ECPs. (C) 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.