Contraception (Birth Control) and Family Planning PubHealthInfo

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PubHealth.info® (a subsidiary of PakMed) presents scientific information mainly based on abstracts of articles published on a variety of public health issues/topics, particularly encompassing population planning, disease prevention, maternal and child health, and communicable and non-communicable diseases (like HIV AIDS, malaria, etc) that are affecting a significant portion of population in developing and developed countries. Here you can find abstracts of articles published on a variety of public health topics under category "Contraception (Birth Control) and Family Planning". Contraception (birth control) is a regimen of one or more actions, devices, or medications followed in order to deliberately prevent or reduce the likelihood of a woman becoming pregnant or giving birth. Therefore contraception is the utilization of various and sundry surgical procedures, devices, practices, agents, or drugs with the intention of preventing conception or impregnation (pregnancy). Methods and intentions typically termed birth control may be considered a pivotal ingredient to family planning. Birth control is a controversial political and ethical issue in many cultures and religions, and although it is generally less controversial than abortion specifically.

YEAR: 1995

CATEGORY: Contraception (Birth Control) and Family Planning

TITLE

Emergency contraception: the answer to America's unplanned pregnancy

problem? Issue brief.

AUTHORS

Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation

SOURCE

Menlo Park, California, Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, 1995 Mar. 9 p.

ABSTRACT

The introduction to this report notes that most American women are uninformed or misinformed about the high-dose

regimen of oral contraceptives (OCs) that can provide postcoital fertility control. Also, while most reproductive health

specialists consider the regimen safe and effective and have no objections about prescribing it, few have actually

done so. The enormous potential for "emergency" contraception to help women avoid unplanned pregnancies is

compromised because OC manufacturers have failed to seek US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval to

label their products for such use. Off-label prescribing is legal but increases liability. Part 1 of the report describes

the emergency contraception regimen and side effects and its potential for reducing unplanned pregnancies,

especially those resulting from failure to use contraception. Part 2 reviews public and provider knowledge and

attitudes and points out that most women who have heard of the method believe it must be initiated within 24 hours

instead of the actual 72. Postcoital contraception poses no ethical or safety concerns for most members of the

public or for most physicians, including those who refuse to perform abortions. At least two-thirds of US women of

reproductive age are likely to experience an unplanned pregnancy at any given time, and more than half surveyed

indicated they would use the regimen, including 57% of single women, 35% of married women, 52% of women under

age 30, and 56% of Black and Hispanic women. The third part of the report covers political, economic, and policy

factors contributing to limited use including FDA approval, liability fears, reluctance from manufacturers to seek FDA

approval, and limited access. Strategies to increase use include routine distribution of an appropriate regimen of

Ocs, over-the-counter availability, petitioning the FDA for relabeling of Ocs, and producing a directory of providers.

(PubHealth.info Document ID: CONT2T 2583-06)

PubHealth.info NOTE: The author(s) of this article titled, "Emergency contraception: the answer to America's

unplanned pregnancy problem? Issue brief.", is(are) Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. The source of this article is

"Menlo Park, California, Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, 1995 Mar. 9 p.". This article was published in 1995 in

English language(s). (PubHealth.info® Document ID: CONT2T 2583-06. All rights reserved with PubHealth.info) PIN:

7583

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