The attitudes of Korean physicians toward emergency contraceptive pills: regarding women's access and rescheduling.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

This study investigated the attitude of Korean physicians toward women's access to emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) and the reclassification of ECP to a behind-the-counter (BTC) drug.

Methods

This study involved 946 physicians who had prescribed ECP in South Korea. The written questionnaires were completed by obstetricians and gynecologists, family physicians, internal medicine doctors, and pediatricians.

Results

Regarding the barriers limiting women's access to ECP, 24.8% of physicians responded that women lacked information about ECP and 22.5% felt that women were likely to be emotionally burdened by visits to clinics or hospitals to obtain ECP prescriptions. Ninety-two percent of physicians responded that ECP should remain a prescription drug while 6.

SUBMITTER: Lee ES 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6520542 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature