Recorded presentation

Terri L. Walsh, MPH, Research Division, California Family Health Council, Inc., 3600 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 600, Los Angeles, CA 90010, Elizabeth Suden, MA, Research Division, California Family Health Council, 2550 9th Street, Suite 203, Berkeley, CA 94710, 510.647.0632, ext 2202, sudenl@cfhc.org, and Ron Frezieres, MSPH, Research, California Family Health Council, Inc, 3600 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 600, Los Angeles, CA 90010.

The Advance EC (Emergency Contraception) Project sponsored by the California Family Health Council randomized over 9000 female family planning clients from 31 clinics to receive either a packet containing EC and information or a packet containing only information about EC at their family planning visit. The Advance EC Project staff subsequently conducted over 1000 follow-up interviews to evaluate EC use, contraceptive behavior, and attitudes towards EC. The interview sample was stratified by age group (<=18 years, 19-25 years, >=26 years), ethnicity (Latina, White, African American, Asian), and contraceptive method choice at their clinic visit (hormonal, non-hormonal), to obtain a broad cross section of respondents. Results show that while advance provision of EC did not affect contraceptive use, having EC on hand did increase EC use. Nonetheless, EC was taken less often than expected based on the self-reported frequency of method failures and unprotected sex. Results also show age and ethnicity subgroups exhibit distinct patterns of EC utilization and attitudes. These major differences in attitudes could have implications on clinical practice.

Learning Objectives: At the end of this session, the participant will be able to

• Identify 3 attitudes and beliefs of women that promote or hinder the use of EC.
• Recognize the difference in utilization of EC by various age and ethnic groups.
• Discuss the implications of attitudes about EC on clinical practice.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation