title: Knowledge and use of emergency contraception in college women.
abstract: Despite the value of emergency contraception (EC) in reducing unintended pregnancy, use in college women has not been widely studied. This exploratory descriptive study, using a web-based survey, described knowledge and use of EC in 2,007 college women and identified associations between selected personal characteristics and EC use. Most women (72.2%) knew EC could be obtained over the counter and was most effective within 72 hr of intercourse (93%). Women inaccurately thought EC was effective through the first trimester of pregnancy (87.1%) and could cause birth defects (27.8%). Among sexually active women, 37% reported use. Experiencing a false alarm pregnancy, knowing that EC was available over the counter, and being Asian/Pacific Islander were positively associated with use. Additional studies should explore the utility of EC in other populations and efforts should be stepped up to provide accurate information about access and mechanism of use.
authors.affiliation: University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA melissa-lehan@uiowa.edu.
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lehan Mackin
authors.affiliation: University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA.
authors.forename: M Kathleen
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.affiliation: University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA.
authors.forename: Ann Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: McCarthy
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Farris
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044363:Contraception, Postcoital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities
keywords: contraceptive methods; emergency contraception; post-coital contraception; pregnancy; reproductive health