INTRODUCTION: A user profile is necessary in order to direct future campaigns for emergency contraception (EC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Over a three-month period, 423 women with prescriptions for EC were consecutively entered in the study, which was carried out in four inner-city pharmacies in Copenhagen, Denmark. RESULTS: The median age was 24 years (range 13-50 years). Most women (73%) were first-time users of EC. The reason for the current need for EC was most often condom failure (54%) or non-use of any contraceptive method (41%). Only six women (1.4%) reported non-use of contraception because of their knowledge of EC and only four women (0.9%) reported EC as the usual method of contraception. Knowledge about EC more often came from family or friends (51%) and advertising (47%), than from general practitioners (26%) or through sex education in schools (3%). Altogether 282 women (69%) received EC from a doctor in the medical emergency service or a casualty ward. DISCUSSION: Overall, EC is used as recommended. Its availability does not seem to reduce the use of safer contraceptive methods. The mandatory sex education in school should include information on EC.
INTRODUCTION: A user profile is necessary in order to direct future campaigns for emergency contraception (EC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Over a three-month period, 423 women with prescriptions for EC were consecutively entered in the study, which was carried out in four inner-city pharmacies in Copenhagen, Denmark. RESULTS: The median age was 24 years (range 13-50 years). Most women (73%) were first-time users of EC. The reason for the current need for EC was most often condom failure (54%) or non-use of any contraceptive method (41%). Only six women (1.4%) reported non-use of contraception because of their knowledge of EC and only four women (0.9%) reported EC as the usual method of contraception. Knowledge about EC more often came from family or friends (51%) and advertising (47%), than from general practitioners (26%) or through sex education in schools (3%). Altogether 282 women (69%) received EC from a doctor in the medical emergency service or a casualty ward. DISCUSSION: Overall, EC is used as recommended. Its availability does not seem to reduce the use of safer contraceptive methods. The mandatory sex education in school should include information on EC.