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 NewsMore education needed on Not-Just-The-Morning-After-Pill13/04/2009 Australia’s leading sexual and reproductive healthcare organisation today called for a widespread Commonwealth government education campaign on emergency contraception, following research highlighting that youth hold many misconceptions and misunderstandings about the drug.
“With no form of contraception 100% effective, awareness of and access to emergency contraception is a vital necessity,” said Jill Michelson, General Manager of Operations for Marie Stopes International.
“Yet what research is telling us is that youth don’t understand how the drug works, and some aren’t even aware of its existence.”
The research findings[1], published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, indicated that only 20% of youth understood the correct time frame in which to use emergency contraception, with 42% believing that emergency contraception was only effective for 24 hours.
To add to this, 40% did not know it was available for purchase over the counter from a pharmacy, many said that they would be too embarrassed to access the drug in situations where they might be known, and more than 20% were unaware of its existence altogether.
“With Australia having one of the highest teen pregnancy rates in the developed world, we need to urgently get the correct message out there and address this concerning knowledge gap,” said Ms Michelson.
Since January 2004, emergency contraception has been available over the counter without a doctor’s prescription for a cost of approximately $20 - $30.
Currently there are two forms of emergency contraception available over the counter – a one and two tablet form. With the two tablet form, the tablets are taken 12 hours apart. Emergency contraception can be effective up to 120 hours after unprotected sex, yet both methods are more effective the earlier they are taken. Neither work if conception has already occurred.
“Unplanned pregnancy is a key health issue and a reality for over 50% of Australian women, and more needs to be done to reduce this statistic,” said Ms Michelson.
“The Commonwealth Government should direct some of its broadband rollout funds into investing in education and improving contraceptive options and efficacy.
“Our youth would benefit more in the long run from thorough sex education than they would high speed broadband.
“This should be a priority for the government.”
For more information on contraception and emergency contraception, visit www.contraceptioninfo.com.au
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About Marie Stopes International: Marie Stopes International is a not-for-profit sexual and reproductive healthcare provider, with centres in the ACT, VIC, NSW, QLD and WA. MSI offers a range of services, including abortion, vasectomy, sexually transmitted infection check-ups, contraception and community-based health promotion and education. The organisation is part of a global international partnership that delivers vital health services to over five million people in 42 countries worldwide. Surplus funds support Marie Stopes International Australia, our charity partner, which works to save lives and improve sexual and reproductive health in Indigenous Australia and throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
For media enquiries contact: Kath Markov, Public Relations - 0421 097 150
[1]Knowledge of emergency contraception amongst tertiary students in far North Queensland, Dominika Mohoric-Stare and Caroline de Costa. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, April 2009.
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