Contraceptive failures and determinants of emergency contraception use.
OBJECTIVE
Two years after emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) were made available without prescription in France, we investigated the determinants of ECP use in a representative sample of women at risk for unintended pregnancy.


METHODS
This study is based on data collected from a population-based cohort exploring contraceptive practices and abortion (N=2863).


RESULTS
Among the 706 women at risk for unintended pregnancy during the first year of follow-up (2001), only 11.1% used ECPs. Women in stable relationships or using the same contraceptive method during the year were less likely to use ECPs than other women. The study also demonstrates that detailed knowledge of ECPs increases the probability of its subsequent use.


CONCLUSIONS
Given the low frequency of ECP use in cases of unintended pregnancy risk, these results suggest that information campaigns should be targeted not only at women with irregular contraceptive practices but also at women who experience errors in the use of their regular contraceptive method.
Goulard
Hélène
H
INSERM, National Institute of Health and Medical Research, U569 "Epidemiology, Demography and Social Sciences," IFR69, 94276 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.
Moreau
Caroline
C
Gilbert
Fabien
F
Job-Spira
Nadine
N
Bajos
Nathalie
N
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003267:Contraception / Q000379:methods; D044363:Contraception, Postcoital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003281:Contraceptives, Postcoital; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D047568:Unsafe Sex
D003281:Contraceptives, Postcoital