title: Provision of contraception after emergency contraception from the pharmacy: evaluating the acceptability of pharmacy for providing sexual and reproductive health services.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Community pharmacies in the United Kingdom (UK) provide sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services such as emergency contraception (EC), although there is scope for provision of additional services. We conducted a pilot study of pharmacy based interventions for initiating effective contraception after EC. By determining the views of participating women and pharmacists we aimed to identify barriers and facilitators to providing interventions from pharmacies routinely.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the pilot study, women presenting for levonorgestrel EC to community pharmacies, were provided with either standard care or one of two interventions: one packet of progestogen-only pills (POPs); or an invitation to present the empty EC packet to a local family planning clinic for contraception. A sample of women participating were asked to undergo a further interview. Operational difficulties with research in the community pharmacy were also documented by the research team.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 women, four from each arm of the pilot study, using a standardised topic guide. Pre- and post-study interviews were conducted with the pharmacists involved.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All women welcomed the interventions indicating the benefit of having different options available. They also identified possible advantages and disadvantages of each intervention. All pharmacists were positive about their involvement in the study. Methodological problems included difficulty in retention of participating pharmacists, slow recruitment and failure to accurately complete study paperwork.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Women welcomed the interventions offered. Pharmacists viewed their participation in the study positively. The problems encountered provide valuable feedback to inform the development larger scale studies of such interventions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Edinburgh, 51 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 5SU, United Kingdom; Chalmers Sexual Health Centre, 2A Chalmers Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9ES, United Kingdom. Electronic address: michieluc@yahoo.co.uk.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Michie
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Edinburgh, 51 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 5SU, United Kingdom; Chalmers Sexual Health Centre, 2A Chalmers Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9ES, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: S T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Cameron
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Edinburgh, 51 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 5SU, United Kingdom; London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Glasier
authors.affiliation: Chalmers Sexual Health Centre, 2A Chalmers Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9ES, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Z E
authors.initials: ZE
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Chalmers Sexual Health Centre, 2A Chalmers Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9ES, United Kingdom; Department of Public Health and Health Policy, NHS Lothian, Waverley Gate, 2-4 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3EG, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Milne
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Health Policy, NHS Lothian, Waverley Gate, 2-4 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3EG, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services; D044363:Contraception, Postcoital; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010865:Pilot Projects; D036301:Qualitative Research; D034121:Reproductive Health Services; D006113:United Kingdom; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Clinical research; Community pharmacy; Levonelle; Morning after pill; Progestogen only pill