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Obstetrician-gynecologist physicians' beliefs about emergency contraception: a national survey.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Lawrence, RE; Rasinski, KA; Yoon, JD; Curlin, FA
Published in: Contraception
October 2010

BACKGROUND: Although emergency contraception (EC) is available without a prescription, women still rely on doctors' advice about its safety and effectiveness. Yet little is known about doctors' beliefs and practices in this area. STUDY DESIGN: We surveyed 1800 US obstetrician-gynecologists. Criterion variables were doctors' beliefs about EC's effects on pregnancy rates, and patients' sexual practices. We also asked which women are offered EC. Predictors were demographic, clinical and religious characteristics. RESULTS: Response rate was 66% (1154/1760). Most (89%) believe EC access lowers unintended pregnancy rates. Some believe women use other contraceptives less (27%), initiate sex at younger ages (12%) and have more sexual partners (15%). Half of physicians offer EC to all women (51%), while others offer it never (6%) or only after sexual assault (6%). Physicians critical of EC, males and religious physicians were more likely to offer it never or only after sexual assault (odds ratios 2.1-12). CONCLUSION: Gender, religion and divergent beliefs about EC's effects shape physicians' beliefs and practices.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Contraception

DOI

EISSN

1879-0518

Publication Date

October 2010

Volume

82

Issue

4

Start / End Page

324 / 330

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • United States
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Sexual Behavior
  • Sex Factors
  • Religion
  • Pregnancy Rate
  • Pregnancy
  • Physicians
  • Physician-Patient Relations
  • Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Lawrence, R. E., Rasinski, K. A., Yoon, J. D., & Curlin, F. A. (2010). Obstetrician-gynecologist physicians' beliefs about emergency contraception: a national survey. Contraception, 82(4), 324–330. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.contraception.2010.04.151
Lawrence, Ryan E., Kenneth A. Rasinski, John D. Yoon, and Farr A. Curlin. “Obstetrician-gynecologist physicians' beliefs about emergency contraception: a national survey.Contraception 82, no. 4 (October 2010): 324–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.contraception.2010.04.151.
Lawrence RE, Rasinski KA, Yoon JD, Curlin FA. Obstetrician-gynecologist physicians' beliefs about emergency contraception: a national survey. Contraception. 2010 Oct;82(4):324–30.
Lawrence, Ryan E., et al. “Obstetrician-gynecologist physicians' beliefs about emergency contraception: a national survey.Contraception, vol. 82, no. 4, Oct. 2010, pp. 324–30. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2010.04.151.
Lawrence RE, Rasinski KA, Yoon JD, Curlin FA. Obstetrician-gynecologist physicians' beliefs about emergency contraception: a national survey. Contraception. 2010 Oct;82(4):324–330.
Journal cover image

Published In

Contraception

DOI

EISSN

1879-0518

Publication Date

October 2010

Volume

82

Issue

4

Start / End Page

324 / 330

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • United States
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Sexual Behavior
  • Sex Factors
  • Religion
  • Pregnancy Rate
  • Pregnancy
  • Physicians
  • Physician-Patient Relations
  • Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine