Emergency contraception is an effective backup for contraceptive failure. In Hong Kong, levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive pill is a prescription drug. In most developed countries, it is provided in advance or over-the-counter to eliminate the barrier to access. The objective of this thesis is to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of these novel delivery modes in Hong Kong. Four studies were conducted to study pertinent subject matters. A retrospective review on 11014 clinical records of The Family Planning Association of Hong Kong on emergency contraception prescription between 2006 and 2008 was performed to delineate the characteristics of emergency contraceptive users. One-year follow-up data was available in 4728 records, with 89.4% used emergency contraception once and 8.5% used it twice. The proportion of subjects not using ongoing contraceptives reduced from 20.6% at the emergency contraception visit to 4.5% at post-treatment follow-up, 3.9% at 6th month and 3.3% at 12th month. Young age was not associated with not using ongoing contraceptives and repeat use of emergency contraceptives. A randomized controlled trial with 1030 women was conducted to compare the behavior of those given three courses of levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive pills in advance against those who had to get them from clinics when needed. After one year, 29.9% of women in the advanced provision group had used the pills versus 12.9% in the control group (odds ratio 2.87, 95% confidence interval 2.07-3.97). The advanced provision group used three times more pills than the control group (278 versus 95 courses, p<0.001). The median coitus-treatment interval in the advanced provision group was significantly shorter than the control group (11 h versus 20 h; p<0.001). Most women used condoms before (90%) and during (89%) the study. In both groups, consistency of use was higher after emergency contraception (65%) than before (60%) (p<0.001). This study confirmed that advanced provision increased the utilization of emergency contraceptive pill, facilitated its early use and did not hamper ongoing contraceptive use. A questionnaire survey was conducted to evaluate the acceptability of novel use of emergency contraceptive pill among women practicing contraception. Of the 1405 questionnaires analyzed, 46.3% of women supported more advertising on emergency contraception; 48.7% supported advanced provision of emergency contraceptive pill and 25.7% supported over-the-counter provision. Another questionnaire survey assessed the attitude of physicians who provide family planning services. Half (54.2%) of them supported advanced provision of emergency contraceptive pill; 32.5% supported advanced provision to girls aged 16 and below and 40.2% supported over-thecounter provision. Among 352 physicians who provided emergency contraception, only 21.7% of private family physicians and 15.9% of private obstetrician-gynaecologists prescribed emergency contraceptive pills in advance. In conclusion, local women used emergency contraception responsibly and remained vigilant with ongoing contraception even when they got pills in advance. Minority of physicians practice advanced provision. The acceptance of advanced provision, among women and physicians who do not know much about it, is around 50%. It is thus possible to improve when more education on advanced provision is provided. The support for over-the-counter provision was too weak to boost. / published_or_final_version / Medicine / Master / Doctor of Medicine

Background- At the local, regional, national and global levels, unsafe abortion takes a tremendous toll on girls, women, families, communities, health systems and nations. An estimated 46 million induced abortions are performed annually with 78,000 deaths globally each year. In Ethiopia, unsafe abortion accounts for nearly 60% of all gynaecological admissions and almost 30.0% of all obstetric admission, about 22-54% of direct obstetric deaths are due to unsafe abortion. EC is increasingly regarded as a means to reduce abortion rates Objective – The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of female college students’ towards sex and emergency contraceptives so as to prevent unintended pregnancy. Methods – A descriptive cross sectional survey was conducted among 352 sampled female college students of Dessie, Ethiopia from June 4 to June 5/2012. Selfadministered questionnaire was used to collect the data. Data was entered into a computer using Microsoft Excel 2007 and analyzed using SPSS version 16.0 statistical software and Binary logistic regression analyses are used to measure the associations. Result- The age of students ranged from 18 to 25 years. Of the total respondents 36.6% ever had sexual experience, 53.3% know at least one regular modern contraceptive method, 69.9% heard about emergency contraceptives (EC) but, only 33.9 % had good knowledge about EC and 15.4% of them had ever used it. Conclusion & recommendation- Less than fifty percent of the respondents were knowledgeable about EC. The correct knowledge of the method such as the time limit is lacking for most of the students. Information, education & communication to increase awareness and knowledge about emergency contraceptive is important. Contraception information sessions should address; full details how the EC works and full details of how the contraceptives should be taken / Health Studies / M.A. (Master of Public Health)

Background- At the local, regional, national and global levels, unsafe abortion takes a tremendous toll on girls, women, families, communities, health systems and nations. An estimated 46 million induced abortions are performed annually with 78,000 deaths globally each year. In Ethiopia, unsafe abortion accounts for nearly 60% of all gynaecological admissions and almost 30.0% of all obstetric admission, about 22-54% of direct obstetric deaths are due to unsafe abortion. EC is increasingly regarded as a means to reduce abortion rates Objective – The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of female college students’ towards sex and emergency contraceptives so as to prevent unintended pregnancy. Methods – A descriptive cross sectional survey was conducted among 352 sampled female college students of Dessie, Ethiopia from June 4 to June 5/2012. Selfadministered questionnaire was used to collect the data. Data was entered into a computer using Microsoft Excel 2007 and analyzed using SPSS version 16.0 statistical software and Binary logistic regression analyses are used to measure the associations. Result- The age of students ranged from 18 to 25 years. Of the total respondents 36.6% ever had sexual experience, 53.3% know at least one regular modern contraceptive method, 69.9% heard about emergency contraceptives (EC) but, only 33.9 % had good knowledge about EC and 15.4% of them had ever used it. Conclusion & recommendation- Less than fifty percent of the respondents were knowledgeable about EC. The correct knowledge of the method such as the time limit is lacking for most of the students. Information, education & communication to increase awareness and knowledge about emergency contraceptive is important. Contraception information sessions should address; full details how the EC works and full details of how the contraceptives should be taken / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

Thesis (M.M.)--University of Sydney, 2007. / Title from title screen (viewed Dec. 18, 2007). Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Medicine to the Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine. Includes tables and questionnaires. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Duquesne University, 2008. / Title from document title page. Abstract included in electronic submission form. Includes bibliographical references (p. 181-195) and index.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 42-48). / viii, 48 leaves, bound ill. 29 cm

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Oregon State University, 2010. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 144-158). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references.

This study explored knowledge, perceptions and attitudes regarding contraception and contraceptive practices among secondary school learners in the Limpopo Province. Self-administered questionnaires were completed by 612 Grade 8 and 332 Grade 12 learners from 24 randomly selected secondary schools. The study found that permissive attitudes prevailed towards sex, characterised by casual sexual activities commencing at 12 years of age. The availability of contraceptive and termination of pregnancy (TOP) services did not enable learners to utilise them, because of social, cultural, financial and service barriers. Most learners were sexually active without being knowledgeable about contraceptives, emergency contraceptives and TOP services. Two workshops conducted with learners produced similar results to those obtained from the completed questionnaires. Semi-structured interviews conducted with nurses, providing contraceptive and TOP services in the Limpopo Province, also substantiated the findings from the questionnaires. Secondary school learners in the Limpopo Province require more knowledge about and ready access to contraceptives to enable them to delay child bearing until they are emotionally, financially and physically ready for these responsibilities. Nurses and teachers in this province can enhance the learners' contraceptive knowledge and utilisation to help learners make better informed decisions about their own and their future children's lives. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)