267777 Copper IUD for EC: Have young women at risk of unintended pregnancy heard of the most effective form of emergency contraception?

Monday, October 29, 2012 : 2:45 PM - 3:00 PM

Cynthia C. Harper, PhD , Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Kirsten M.J. Thompson, MPH , Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Corinne Rocca, PhD, MPH , Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Philip Darney, MD, MSc , Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
James Trussell, PhD , Office of Population Research, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
J. Joseph Speidel, MD, MPH , Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
The copper IUD is the most effective emergency contraceptive available, but rarely used. In the past decade, scientific and policy efforts have succeeded in transforming emergency contraceptive pills from a well-kept secret to a range of accessible dedicated products. However, unprotected intercourse remains high in the U.S.. While pills have advantages in accessibility and convenience, the copper IUD has significantly higher efficacy and also offers ongoing protection. This study assessed awareness of the IUD for EC in a national study of a cohort of young women (n=1,600), ages 18-25 years, who had undergone contraceptive counseling at 40 family planning clinics. Preliminary results show extremely low levels of awareness of the method: 92% of the young women had not heard of using the IUD after unprotected sex for emergency contraception. Only 23% thought that the IUD is more effective than emergency contraceptive pills, with 55% responding ‘don't know'. Women's general level of familiarity with the IUD was positively associated with awareness of the IUD for EC (p=.03) and with more accurate knowledge of its efficacy for EC (P<.001). The majority (69%) reported that they would want to learn about the IUD if they needed EC. A full 92% reported that a doctor or nurse was their most trusted source of information about emergency contraception, with the internet (5%) as the next most trusted source. Targeted education about the IUD for EC is needed for women and their providers to increase awareness about the most effective method for emergency contraception.

Learning Areas:
Public health or related education

Learning Objectives:
1. Compare the contraceptive efficacy of the copper IUD and levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive pills. 2. Enumerate 3 advantages of the copper IUD for emergency contraception. 3. Assess awareness of the copper IUD for EC in the US among young women at risk of unintended pregnancy.

Keywords: Clinical Prevention Services, Contraception

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been the PI or co-PI of many studies that have examined emergency contraception, including emergency contraception pills and the IUD for EC. These studies have included behavioral studies, pharmacokinetics, tolerability, actual use, provider training, and patient use. My scientific interests have been on addressing high unintended pregnancy in the US among young women through improved access to contraceptives and high-quality evidence-based care.
Any relevant financial relationships? Yes

Name of Organization Clinical/Research Area Type of relationship
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd. Plan B and Plan B One-Step emergency contraception Investigator on research grant through my university (UCSF) on Plan B and Plan B One-Step emergency contraception

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.

Back to: 3365.0: Emergency contraception: new research and new challenges