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Abstract #155070

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Angelina Marie Ahedo, BA¹, Kari A. Wheeling, MPH¹, and Nancy S. Partika, RN, MPH². (1) Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Hawaii, 1500 S. Beretania Street, Suite 308, Honolulu, HI 96826, 808-951-5805, ahedo@hawaii.edu, (2) Office of Public Health Studies, University of Hawaii-Manoa, MCH Program Director, 1960 East West Road, Biomed C-103, Honolulu, HI 96822

Emergency contraception (EC) reduces a woman's risk of pregnancy by 75-94 % if taken within 120 hours after unprotected sex. Quick and easy access to EC can reduce unintended pregnancy rates by 50%. In Hawaii there are three levels of EC accessibility: by prescription from a provider; through the pharmacy-access program; and through over-the-counter (OTC) pharmacy access. This study focused on OTC EC, which can be purchased by anyone 18+ with a valid ID. A four-question survey of 110 out of 261 pharmacies statewide was conducted in January 2007 inquiring about the availability OTC EC and procedures to acquire it. Pharmacies were selected to provide a good cross-section of chain and independent pharmacies in urban and rural areas statewide. Survey findings indicate that OTC EC was accessible at 94 out of 110 (85%) pharmacies surveyed, at about $40-$50. Of those 94 pharmacies that provided EC OTC, 32 (34%) provided incorrect information regarding how to access EC OTC. Some erroneously stated that a woman had to be 21+ to secure EC (rather than 18+) and that the woman herself must purchase the EC (even though another may pick it up for her). Two barriers to EC OTC accessibility identified were: incorrect information given by “front line” pharmacy staff, due to confusion about three levels of EC access, and the cost. To decrease these barriers, more training and education must be provided for pharmacy staff members. Also, OTC EC should be covered by Medicaid or other health insurance plans.

Learning Objectives:

• Assess the availability of emergency contraception over-the-counter in Hawaii.
• Identify three levels of emergency contraception access in Hawaii.
• Identify possible barriers for over-the-counter emergency contraception access in Hawaii

Keywords: Family Planning, Access to Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

• Slides (pdf) or Handout