Women's experiences of obtaining emergency contraception: a phenomenological study.
Emergency contraception (EC) has been available since 1984 but has been labelled the 'best kept secret' (Winfield, 1995). Because EC was originally termed 'the morning after pill', many people interpreted this literally and missed an opportunity to use the method. More recent publicity has dropped this term and emphasized that the method is effective up to 72 h after unprotected intercourse or contraceptive failure (Burton & Salvage, 1990). Uptake of EC has steadily increased since 1985 but there is still evidence that younger women in particular are least aware of its existence.
Bell
T
T
Lisson Grove Health Centre, Plymouth, UK.
Millward
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003281:Contraceptives, Postcoital; D004630:Emergencies / Q000523:psychology*; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D012736:Sex Education / Q000379:methods; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014930:Women / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D016387:Women's Health
D003281:Contraceptives, Postcoital