Emergency contraception: from accessibility to counseling

Received 14 February 2002; accepted 12 September 2002.

Abstract

Since emergency contraception (EC) users have a higher risk sexual profile, they may miss an opportunity for medical counseling if getting EC directly from a pharmacy. However, direct access to emergency contraception through pharmacies has been shown to increase EC use. Informational materials destined for EC users could alert women to the importance to check for sexually-transmitted infections considering health issues related to STDs.

Keywords: Emergency contraception, Direct access, STD

a INSERM U569, Hopital de Bicetre, 82 rue du General Leclerc, 94276 Le Kremlin Bicetre, Bicetre, France

Corresponding author. Tel.: +33-1-45212273; fax: +33-1-45212075.

1 COCON Group includes: Pascal Arduin, Nathalie Bajos, Jean Bouyer, Béatrice Ducot, Michèle Ferrand, Hélène Goulard, Danielle Hassoun, Nadine Job-Spira, Monique Kaminski, Nathalie Lelong, Henri Leridon, Caroline Moreau, Pascale Oustry, Nicolas Razafindratsima and Josiane Warszawski.

PII: S0010-7824(02)00435-3

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