Information campaign and advocacy efforts to promote access to emergency contraception in Mexico.
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.
Ellertson
Charlotte
C
Population Council, Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, Escondida 110, 04000, Col Villa Coyoacan, Mexico DF, Mexico. cellertson@ppcouncil.org.mx
Heimburger
Angela
A
Acevedo-Garcia
Dolores
D
Schiavon
Raffaela
R
Mejia
Guillermina
G
Corona
Georgina
G
del Castillo
Eduardo
E
Langer
Ana
A
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
D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D003281:Contraceptives, Postcoital