Knowledge, attitudes, and use of emergency contraception among Hispanic women of North Carolina.
BACKGROUND
This project was designed to determine the knowledge, attitudes and self-reported use of emergency contraception (EC) of Spanish-speaking women of western North Carolina.


METHODS
Using a cross-sectional survey, a convenience sample of patients completed the survey in exam or interview rooms of an obstetric and gynecology residency program in western North Carolina. Participants included 213 Spanish-speaking women of childbearing age (18 to 44-years-old) presenting for routine care between August 2004 and October 2006.


RESULTS
Seventy percent of the sexually active respondents (N = 196) reported inconsistent use of birth control. Only 22% reporting knowing about EC; an additional 26% knew about the morning after pill. Overall, 12% reported previous use of EC. Very few (15%) reported a moral or religious objection to EC. Only 21% reported having discussed EC with a care provider.


CONCLUSIONS
Considerable opportunity exists to expand patient education about all contraceptive options, including EC with Hispanic women of western North Carolina.
Galvin
Shelley L
SL
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Division of Family Medicine, MAHEC, Asheville, NC 28801, USA. shelley.galvin@mahec.net
Fagan
E Blake
EB
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D003281:Contraceptives, Postcoital; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D009657:North Carolina; D011247:Pregnancy; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
D003281:Contraceptives, Postcoital