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Kenneth D. Rosenberg, MD, MPH, Office of Family Health, Oregon Department of Human Services, 800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 850, Portland, OR 97232, 503-731-4507, ken.d.rosenberg@state.or.us and Jodi DeMunter, MD, Multnomah County Health Department, 1939 SE 40 Avenue, Portland, OR 97214.
Background: Rape victims are at risk for unintended pregnancy. Emergency contraception is effective in preventing pregnancy. This study examines emergency contraception (EC) prescribing practices in Oregon Emergency Departments (ED).
Methods: We surveyed 54 of Oregon’s 57 Emergency Departments. Emergency Department staff were asked about access to emergency contraception for rape victims and women who requested emergency contraception after consensual unprotected intercourse.
Results: RAPE VICTIMS: 33 hospitals (61.1%) routinely offered emergency contraception to rape victims. Others offered a prescription to a community pharmacy or did not provide any access to EC. Neither rural location nor Catholic affiliation was associated with access to emergency contraception. EDs were more likely to routinely offer EC if they cared for more rape victims, had a written rape protocol, had staff with specialized rape training and dispensed EC from the ED. NON-RAPE VICTIMS: None of the hospitals had a written protocol addressing emergency contraception for women following unprotected consensual intercourse. Only 29 (53.7%) of EDs provided access to EC for non-rape victims. Catholic hospitals were significantly less likely than non-Catholic hospitals to provide access to EC for non-rape victims (p<0.05).
Conclusions: Many Oregon Emergency Departments do not dispense EC to rape victims, creating a barrier to access for a drug whose effectiveness decreases over time. In addition, almost half of Oregon Emergency Departments discourage the prescribing of emergency contraception for women after unprotected consensual intercourse. Access to EC is essential for care of rape victims and important for pregnancy prevention in cases of unprotected consensual intercourse.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Emergency Department/Room, Contraception
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: none