OBJECTIVES: To find those people seeking post-coital contraception (PCC), its efficacy and effects. DESIGN: A crossover study using a structured questionnaire, filled in both at the moment of demand and after using PCC. SETTING: The "Nóvoa Santos" Family Planning Centre in Ourense. PARTICIPANTS: All those requesting PCC between January 1995 and June 1996 (220 in all). INTERVENTIONS: The PCC norm was 8 pills, two taken every 12 hours, of 0.05 mg of Ethinyloestradiol (EE) plus 0.5 mg of Norgestrel. MEASURES AND MAIN RESULTS: We analysed social and demographic variables, sexual behaviour and PCC use with the SPSS programme for Windows. 96.4% attending were women, average age 21.98. They began coitus at 18.58 years old. 191 (86.8%) had a stable partner and 0 to 3 coitus per week. The condom was the commonest method (90.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Young women requesting PCC immediately after the risk coitus are students and residents in the city. It is a method used when there are problems with the condom and the frequency of failure is low. Sexually active people should be informed of the existence and use of PCC, as should the health professionals who could be asked for it.
OBJECTIVES: To find those people seeking post-coital contraception (PCC), its efficacy and effects. DESIGN: A crossover study using a structured questionnaire, filled in both at the moment of demand and after using PCC. SETTING: The "Nóvoa Santos" Family Planning Centre in Ourense. PARTICIPANTS: All those requesting PCC between January 1995 and June 1996 (220 in all). INTERVENTIONS: The PCC norm was 8 pills, two taken every 12 hours, of 0.05 mg of Ethinyloestradiol (EE) plus 0.5 mg of Norgestrel. MEASURES AND MAIN RESULTS: We analysed social and demographic variables, sexual behaviour and PCC use with the SPSS programme for Windows. 96.4% attending were women, average age 21.98. They began coitus at 18.58 years old. 191 (86.8%) had a stable partner and 0 to 3 coitus per week. The condom was the commonest method (90.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Young women requesting PCC immediately after the risk coitus are students and residents in the city. It is a method used when there are problems with the condom and the frequency of failure is low. Sexually active people should be informed of the existence and use of PCC, as should the health professionals who could be asked for it.