Emergency contraception: can we benefit from lessons learned?

• Published in: Collegium antropologicum Vol. 36; no. 1; p. 345
• Main Authors: Goldstajn, Marina Sprem, Baldani, Dinka Pavicić, Vrcić, Hrvoje, Oresković, Slavko
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Croatia 01.03.2012
• Subjects: Contraception, Postcoital - methods; Contraception, Postcoital - standards; Contraception, Postcoital - utilization; Croatia; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Policy; Humans; Risk-Taking; Croatia
• ISSN: 0350-6134

The aim of the paper was to evaluate current emergency contraception (EC) methods and policies in order to implement lessons learned and maximize potential population impact while introducing dedicated EC pills in Croatia. Literature search for potential reasons for EC failing to show positive population impact and detecting actionable points to be implemented in national guidelines. Six potential reasons for ECs failure to show population impact were evaluated and four actionable points were detected: low use of EC compared to the numbers of risk events, low awareness on EC in general population, differences in efficacy of EC methods and EC vailability. In order to ensure EC's population impact in Croatia it is of a critical relevance to establish continuous education programs for population of women at risk. When recommending an EC method, superior efficacy must be a key decision-making criteria therefore cooper IUD and ulipristal acetate should be our primary options. Counseling is a critical step to ensure maximal efficacy of the EC method, but also to encourage future use of regular contraceptives. Finally, national ECP dispension protocol is needed to close the loop from effective women screening, prompt yet appropriate ECP administration/dispensing towards structured follow up after EC pills intake.