Perfil de utilização de contraceptivo de emergência a partir de um serviço de atendimento farmacêutico de uma rede de farmácias comunitárias

Abstract

The emergency contraceptive pill (EC) is a method of the emergency contraception that prevents pregnancy after sexual intercourse. It is also known as the “post coital pill” and contains high dose progestin-hormone. The EC can be taken immediately or up to five days after sex if the woman did not use birth control, in cases of suspected birth control failure, or if she was forced to have sex. To describe the level of knowledge and use of EC by users of the Medicine Attendance Service (SAC FARMA) in a network of community pharmacies placed in Fortaleza, Ceará. In the months October (2008) to May (2009), after each enquiry about the “post coital pill”, women who were using or intended to use this pill were invited to participate in a survey on the use of emergency contraception by the application of a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed with the statistical program SPSS, version 15.0. Of the 54 women interviewed, the majority were aged between 23 and 29 years (44.4%), were single (66.7%) and resident in the State of Ceará (66.7%). (48.1%) had income between 1 and 3 minimum wages, 50,0% higher secondary education and 42.6% had higher education.). Almost all (92,6%) wished to use or have used EC without guidance/prescription and of these the majority (54%) obtained some information about EC through friends and family. More than half (64.8%) said it was not their first time of use, and 82% reported using EC once or twice previously. With respect to knowledge about the risk of loss of effectiveness if the use is repetitive, the majority (64%) were unaware of this information. Most (72%) reported no adverse reaction or other complaints. Also, 98.1% of interviewed reported that they knew other method of contraception, being the condom the most widely known (92.6%) and used (84%). One of the main reasons to justify the use of EC was unprotected sex (53.7%). When asked for how long after intercourse the method can be used, most answered within 72 hours (56.3%), 25% did not respond and 65.6% reported that "post coital pill" has no abortive effect. Most of the women studied wanted to use the EC without prescription and obtained information about EC pill from friends and family. Moreover most women had no knowledge about the risk of reduced effectiveness if the use is repetitive. These findings are of concern as they indicate the possibility of misuse of the EC given its easy access in pharmacies.