Population Effect of Increased Access to Emergency Contraceptive Pills
- 1 January 2007
- journal article
- review article
- Published by Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health) in Obstetrics & Gynecology
- Vol. 109 (1), 181-188
- https://doi.org/10.1097/01.aog.0000250904.06923.4a
Abstract
We systematically reviewed data on effects of increased access to emergency contraceptive pills on pregnancy rates and use of the pills. We searched MEDLINE, POPLINE, EMBASE, and LILACS, and we consulted with experts. We included studies that compared the effect of different levels of access to emergency contraceptive pills on pregnancy rates, use of the pills, and other outcomes. Of the 717 articles identified, we selected 23 for review. The studies included randomized trials, cohort studies, and evaluations of community interventions. The quality of these studies varied. In all but one study, increased access to emergency contraceptive pills was associated with greater use. However, no study found an effect on pregnancy or abortion rates. Increased access to emergency contraceptive pills enhances use but has not been shown to reduce unintended pregnancy rates. Further research is needed to explain this finding and to define the best ways to use emergency contraception to produce a public health benefit.Keywords
This publication has 28 references indexed in Scilit:
- Impact of Increased Access to Emergency Contraceptive PillsObstetrics & Gynecology, 2006
- Disparities in Rates of Unintended Pregnancy In the United States, 1994 and 2001Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 2006
- Advance Supply of Emergency Contraception: A Randomized Trial in Adolescent MothersJournal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, 2005
- Provision of emergency hormonal contraception through community pharmacies in a rural areaBMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health, 2005
- The Effect of Increased Access to Emergency Contraception Among Young AdolescentsObstetrics & Gynecology, 2005
- Impact on contraceptive practice of making emergency hormonal contraception available over the counter in Great Britain: repeated cross sectional surveysBMJ, 2005
- The effects of advance provision of emergency contraception on adolescent women's sexual and contraceptive behaviorsJournal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, 2004
- A national study examining the effect of making emergency hormonal contraception available without prescriptionHuman Reproduction, 2004
- Emergency contraception. Has over the counter availability reduced attendances at emergency departments?Emergency Medicine Journal, 2004
- Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in EpidemiologyA Proposal for ReportingJAMA, 2000