The role of pharmacists and emergency contraception: are pharmacists' perceptions of emergency contraception predictive of their dispensing practices?

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• 作者：Alice R. Richman ; Ellen M. Daley ; Julie Baldwin ; Jeff Kromrey ; Kathleen O'Rourke ; Kay Perrin
• 关键词：Emergency contraceptive pill ; Pharmacists ; Dispensing practice ; Access to care
• 刊名：Contraception
• 出版年：2012
• 出版时间：October, 2012
• 年：2012
• 卷：86
• 期：4
• 页码：370-375
• 全文大小：136 K

文摘

Background

Pharmacists can play a critical role in the access to emergency contraception (EC). We assessed if knowledge and attitudes were predictive of EC dispensing among a statewide sample of Florida pharmacists, who have legal authority to refuse to dispense medications.

Study Design

In 2008, surveys were mailed to a random sample of 1264 pharmacists registered with the Florida Board of Pharmacy. Data from 272 pharmacists (22 % response rate) were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression.

Results

Fifty-six percent of respondents incorrectly answered that EC causes birth defects, and 46 % replied that it causes abortion. Only 22 % said that EC can be purchased in advance of need. Many felt uncomfortable dispensing to adolescents (61 % ) and men (58 % ). Knowledge about EC was the most important predictor of dispensing [odds ratio (OR)=1.57, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.22-2.03]. In particular, pharmacists who reported that EC does not act as an abortifacient were more likely to dispense it (OR=4.64, 95 % CI 2.15-10.00).

Conclusions

Correct information about EC was the most important predictor of pharmacists' dispensing EC. To expand availability of EC, pharmacists will have to become better informed.