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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Erin Horn and Jillian Copeland, AB. School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, 203 Light Hall, #359, 21st Avenue South at Garland Avenue, Nashville, TN 37232, 301-318-2462, erin.r.horn@vanderbilt.edu

Current literature concerning emergency contraception (EC) focuses on large metropolises, not necessarily representative Nashville. Planned Parenthood of Middle and East Tennessee's (PPMET) population was compared with published data regarding awareness, knowledge, willingness to use and past usage of EC, henceforth termed EC competency. Self-administered surveys were offered to women at PPMET clinic over ten weeks. Volunteer sample of 134 women, aged 18 – 44 (mean 23.7), answered a 23-question survey on EC competency. Results were compared to 14 domestic studies, published between 1995 and 2005, which measured the chosen competencies. Within the PPMET population, 93% (125) had heard of EC or the morning after pill, 61% (80) identified EC's time restrictions, 72% (97) stated a willingness to use EC, and 26% (35) had taken it. The historical population's average levels were: awareness 53% (13% - 95%); knowledge 24% (4% - 74%); willingness 66% (47% - 95%); and past usage 7% (.7% - 24%). In the literature, contact with a health care provider, education, socioeconomic status, and age correlated to competency. At PPMET, knowledge and usage were not related to any variable; however, willingness correlated to past use or familiarity because of a friend's use. Awareness, knowledge, willingness and use of EC were greater in the PPMET population than in the literature. Unlike previous studies, EC competency at PPMET is unrelated to race, socioeconomic status, or education- an apparent success of PPMET's education strategy. Limitations: selection bias and comparison to data spanning 10 years compiled with differing methods.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Identify variables that correlate positively and negatively with knowledge, awareness, and usage of emergency contraception.
• Evaluate the Planned Parenthood population as compared to other published populations.
• Discuss the indications and benefits of emergency contraception.

Keywords: Contraception, Women's Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered