Emergency contraception use and non‐use in young women: The application of a contextual and dynamic model

Abstract

There have been many approaches to understanding contraception use including social cognition models which have been criticised for their individualistic approach and their static nature. The present quantitative study developed and refined a contextual and dynamic model of contraception use that was derived using qualitative research. This model conceptualizes the predictors of contraception use in terms of the meaning and importance of a range of social goals, perceptions of vulnerability, and constraints on or facilitators of contraception use each of which changes over time. The present study operationalized this model in relation to emergency contraception and explored differences between users and non-users and between episodes of use and non-use. In terms of users and non-users, the results showed that the users of emergency contraception showed a more positive view of an emergency contraception user, perceived greater support from their partner for emergency contraception use, rated themselves more at risk of pregnancy, and felt more confident about asking for emergency contraception. In terms of use and non-use, use was related to an increased belief about the risk of pregnancy, increased partner support, increased concern about health care professionals and the side-effects of the drug, and a more positive identity of an emergency contraception. The study has helped to develop and refine the model and has identified some key factors that are specifically relevant to emergency contraception use in a sample of women in education in and around London.

Young Adult Couples’ Decision Making Regarding Emergency Contraceptive Pills

“…Reproductive decision making includes a myriad of emotions along with cognitive processes that are impacted by many contextual factors (Lerner, 2002). One of these factors is the role that male partners play (Free & Ogden, 2005). To date, only limited research has explored this relationship.…”

Descontinuidades contraceptivas e sua relação com o uso da anticoncepção de emergência entre jovens universitárias

“…This finding is extremely relevant, since it indicates that the EC is underutilized among a highly educated population in a context of high use of contraceptive methods. Lack recognition of pregnancy risk are shown to deter women from using EC despite having had unprotected intercourse (Raine 2005;Moreau 2005;Sørensen, Pedersen, Nyrnberg, 2000;Free, Lee, Ogden, 2002;Free, Ogden, 2005;Goulard et al, 2006;Nappi et al, 2014;Santos et al, 2014). In the same line, we also found that 40% of women in our study reported having had unprotected sexual intercourse within 12-months prior to the survey and had not used EC to reduce the risk of pregnancy.…”

Current Issues in Emergency Contraception: An Overview for Providers

“…A study of Latina women in the United States showed that positive attitudes toward EC were linked with increasing knowledge of its proper use and of its mechanism of action. Moral or religious concerns also affect women's attitudes toward EC, and are commonly cited as reasons why women would not use it 32,34,35 …”

“…Moral or religious concerns also affect women's attitudes toward EC, and are commonly cited as reasons why women would not use it. 32,34,35 Statistics on EC use are difficult to compare, as they are gathered from different populations with different demographics, making it almost impossible to determine the true trend of EC use. A study of college students conducted in 2003 reported a 13.7% use rate.…”