title: Information campaign and advocacy efforts to promote access to emergency contraception in Mexico.
abstract: Emergency contraception (EC) has the potential to reduce unwanted pregnancy significantly, in Mexico as elsewhere. Recent years have seen tremendous growth in programs and research devoted to expanding access to emergency methods worldwide. In Mexico we developed a comprehensive model introduction effort that included four components: provider training, public information (through a dedicated hotline and website, free media, paid radio and TV spots, participation in talk shows, and alternative media channels), collaboration with the public sector to include EC in the official family planning norms, and assistance to partner with commercial firms to register a dedicated EC product. Ongoing efforts to combat misperceptions and overcome opposition are crucial to informing the public and ensuring greater access to the method.
authors.affiliation: Population Council, Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, Escondida 110, 04000, Col Villa Coyoacan, Mexico DF, Mexico. cellertson@ppcouncil.org.mx
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ellertson
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Heimburger
authors.forename: Dolores
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Acevedo-Garcia
authors.forename: Raffaela
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schiavon
authors.forename: Guillermina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mejia
authors.forename: Georgina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Corona
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: del Castillo
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Langer
mesh_terms: D000329:Advertising; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D003281:Contraceptives, Postcoital / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008800:Mexico; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D017064:Process Assessment, Health Care; D015397:Program Evaluation; D040241:Social Marketing
chemical_list: D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D003281:Contraceptives, Postcoital