Introduction According to the World Health Organization (WHO), every year there are 200 million pregnancies, of which 75 million are unintended. Emergency contraception pills (ECPs) are one of the available methods to prevent an unintended pregnancy, after unprotected sexual intercourse or contraceptive failure. The aim of this study was to quantify the consumption, characterize the level of knowledge, and understand the factors that induce the use of ECPs in tertiary students. Methods An observational, cross-sectional, and retrospective survey was conducted at two tertiary education institutions (Coimbra Health School and Coimbra Education School) between January and April 2015. A written survey was applied to a convenience sample of female and male students at these schools. The survey questions comprised three areas: sociodemographic indicators; knowledge of ECPs; and previous consumption of ECPs (females only). Descriptive statistics and chi-square of independence test were used. Results Most of the students had heard about ECPs and used them mainly for "forgetfulness or contraceptive failure" (63.8%) or "sex without using a contraceptive" (22.4%). Students' main information sources were school, friends, and the internet. There was a higher level of knowledge in female students, students from the Coimbra Health School (vs students from the Coimbra Education School), and students who had received healthcare professional counseling (p < 0.01). Regarding consumption, the majority (74.1%) were first-time users of ECPs and almost all ECPs were obtained in the pharmacy (91.4%). Conclusions In Portugal, ECPs are available over the counter, which facilitates their obtainment. There was some knowledge among students, however lack of information about this subject should be taken into account in further studies. Communication with the students to improve their risk perception and knowledge is key to improving the safer use of ECPs.

Background: People living with HIV (PLWHIV) in Germany are facing new challenges in an aging society. The number of patients with multiple comedications is growing significantly.The US-American HIV-guidelines (DHHS) recommend treating PLWHIV in a multidisciplinary team, including pharmacist. This concept has not been implemented in Germany. Methods: 12-month prospective randomized case-control study to evaluate the influence of implementing a pharmacist to an interdisciplinary HIV-care provider team. The role of the pharmacist included assesing comedications and dietary supplements and optimizing the daily medication schedule. Main endpoints changes in imunologic markers such as CD4-cell count and the number of dietary supplements and their influence on the antiretroviral therapy. Results: 37 Patients were recruted for the study. 19 Patients received intervention by the pharmacist, 18 patients were randomized to the control group, which did not receive intervention by the pharmacist. Mean number of comedications in both groups was 5. In 10,5% of the patients in the intervention group use of dietary supplements was detected, which were contraindicated in combination with ART. Immunologic markers showed a tendency to improve in the intervention group after 6 month, but this difference could not be detected significantly.

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Background: People living with HIV (PLWHIV) in Germany are facing new challenges in an aging society. The number of patients with multiple comedications is growing significantly.The US-American HIV-guidelines (DHHS) recommend treating PLWHIV in a multidisciplinary team, including pharmacist. This concept has not been implemented in Germany. Methods: 12-month prospective randomized case-control study to evaluate the influence of implementing a pharmacist to an interdisciplinary HIV-care provider team. The role of the pharmacist included assesing comedications and dietary supplements and optimizing the daily medication schedule. Main endpoints changes in imunologic markers such as CD4-cell count and the number of dietary supplements and their influence on the antiretroviral therapy. Results: 37 Patients were recruted for the study. 19 Patients received intervention by the pharmacist, 18 patients were randomized to the control group, which did not receive intervention by the pharmacist. Mean number of comedications in both groups was 5. In 10,5% of the patients in the intervention group use of dietary supplements was detected, which were contraindicated in combination with ART. Immunologic markers showed a tendency to improve in the intervention group after 6 month, but this difference could not be detected significantly.

No abstract