Use of and attitudes towards emergency contraception: A survey of women in five European countries

Abstract

Objective To identify knowledge of and attitudes towards emergency contraception (EC) in women from five European countries.

Methods In an internet-based survey, sexually active women aged 16 to 46 years from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK were asked about their use of and opinions on EC.

Results Overall, 7170 women completed the survey. Thirty percent reported having had unprotected sexual intercourse during the previous 12 months (population at risk). Twenty-four percent of the population at-risk reported using EC. The most common reasons given for not using EC were: not perceiving themselves to be at risk of pregnancy; and not thinking about EC as an option. A third of respondents indicated they did not know how EC works, with several misconceptions about EC noted e.g., leading to infertility, similar to abortion. Seventy-nine percent of women agreed that EC is a responsible choice to prevent unwanted pregnancy, but nearly a third of women who used EC felt uncomfortable or judged when obtaining it.

Conclusions EC is underutilised by three-quarters of the women surveyed. Women do not recognise they may be at risk of pregnancy when contraception fails. There are still several misbeliefs about EC indicating a need for better education of the public.

Keywords:

• Contraception behaviour
• Emergency contraception
• Attitudes
• Survey
• Unprotected intercourse

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors received editorial and writing support from Excerpta Medica, sponsored by HRA Pharma.

Declaration of interest: Dr Nappi has financial relationships (lecturer, member of advisory boards, and/or consultant) with Bayer Pharma, Eli Lilly, HRA Pharma, MSD, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer Inc., Shionogi and Teva/Theramex. Dr Lobo Abascal has received lecture fees, is a member of advisory boards and/or consultant with Bayer, Effick, HRA Pharma, MSD, and TEVA. Dr Mansour has received financial support to attend pharmaceutical advisory board meetings, to undertake research studies, to speak at educational meetings and conferences along with travel grants from Astellas, Bayer, Consilient Healthcare, HRA Pharma, Merck, Pfizer, and Vifor Pharma. Dr Rabe has been consultant for HRA Pharma. Dr Shojai has been consultant for HRA Pharma. The authors alone are responsible for the content of this manuscript. Editorial and writing assistance was provided by Excerpta Medica, sponsored by HRA Pharma.