Emergency contraception: a survey of 1773 women.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to retrieve data on the characteristics and profile of women attending an emergency service (ES) to receive a prescription (mandatory until May 2015) for emergency contraception (EC).


METHODS
In a retrospective study the following data were collected for all women requesting EC between January 2014 and June 2015: demographic characteristics, time between unprotected sexual intercourse (USI) and arrival at the ES, time between the last menstrual period and the USI, and type of EC prescribed. In a prospective study starting January 2015, a questionnaire was administered requesting the following information: reasons for requiring EC, previous EC use, source of knowledge about EC, prior contraception and age at first intercourse.


RESULTS
During the whole study period, 1773 women requested EC: their mean age was 26.0 years; 78.5% were Italian; 91.5% were unmarried; 55.2% were still studying and 51.9% had high school education; 61.2% reached the ES within 12 h of the USI; and 42.4% had a USI during days 9-16 of their menstrual cycle. Levonorgestrel was prescribed in 81.4% of women and ulipristal acetate in 17.7%. In the prospective part of the study (382 women), the majority (57.9%) requested EC for condom rupture; 49.5% reported previous use of EC; and 41.6% received information on the subject through friends. The vast majority (83.8%) reported prior use of contraception; in 25.4% the reason for not using it was the absence of a relationship.


CONCLUSIONS
An exact profile of women requesting EC can help women in their choice of permanent contraception, and help clinicians in counselling women on appropriate contraception.
a Department of Gynaecology-Obstetrics and Urology , Sapienza University of Rome , Rome , Italy.
Carlo
C
Bastianelli
a Department of Gynaecology-Obstetrics and Urology , Sapienza University of Rome , Rome , Italy.
Elena
E
Rosato
a Department of Gynaecology-Obstetrics and Urology , Sapienza University of Rome , Rome , Italy.|b AIED Italian Association for Demographic Education , Rome , Italy.
Manuela
M
Farris
a Department of Gynaecology-Obstetrics and Urology , Sapienza University of Rome , Rome , Italy.
Giuseppe
G
Benagiano
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D044363:Contraception, Postcoital / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017533:Marital Status; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D008875:Middle Aged; D009649:Norpregnadienes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016387:Women's Health; D055815:Young Adult
D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D009649:Norpregnadienes; D016912:Levonorgestrel; C555622:ulipristal acetate
Emergency contraception; hormonal contraception; levonorgestrel; ulipristal acetate