Emergency contraception over-the-counter: Practices and attitudes of pharmacists and pharmacy assistants in far North Queensland

Downing, Sandra; Payze, Chris; Doyle-Adams, S.; Gorton, Carla

doi:10.1111/j.1479-828x.2011.01347.x

Cited by 8 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Staff believed that pharmacies were well suited for the provision of sexual health services because of their large clientele, accessibility and convenience (32,(36)(37)(38)(39). However, some staff thought that pharmacies might not be ideal for condom distribution (40) as they were not frequently used by young men, and that young men may be hesitant in approaching female pharmacy staff to request sexual health services (40).…”

Section: Suitabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While some pharmacy healthcare assistants generally thought that users appeared unconcerned about their privacy, most pharmacy staff felt that privacy was highly important to users requesting sexual health services (30,31,37,38,41). Thus, staff preferred to discuss sexual health in private consultation rooms (27,28); where none were available, they tried to counsel in private areas away from other users (37,38,42).…”

Section: Privacymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Staff were generally comfortable counselling users and tried to be youth-friendly and nonjudgemental. Dealing with groups and asking sensitive questions were perceived as difficult (27,28,30,31,36,38,40,43,44). According to staff, pharmacy users with the exception of young users and women counselled by male staff, felt comfortable during counselling (40,44).…”

Section: Counsellingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…According to staff, pharmacy users with the exception of young users and women counselled by male staff, felt comfortable during counselling (40,44). While staff agreed that side effects, dosages, efficacy and future contraception should be included in EC counselling, they had mixed views on the provision of counselling for STIs (38,42). According to one study, fewer pharmacy users (28%; 14/50) than users of clinical services (90.4%; 75/83) reported receiving counselling for contraception after receiving EC (25).…”

Section: Counsellingmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Pharmacy-based sexual health services: a systematic review of experiences and attitudes of pharmacy users and pharmacy staff

et al. 2019

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BackgroundPharmacies are increasingly providing services related to contraception and STIs. Identifying pharmacy staff’ and users’ experiences and attitudes relating to sexual health services is critical to understand users’ needs and examining how pharmacy staff can most effectively contribute to patient-centred care. This systematic review aimed to examine pharmacy staff and pharmacy users’ experiences and attitudes towards the delivery of a large range of sexual health services.MethodsSeven electronic databases and the reference lists of all included studies were searched in September 2018. Studies giving insight into pharmacy users’ and pharmacy staff’s experiences and attitudes towards the delivery of services related to contraception and STIs were included. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used to assess the quality of included studies and a narrative synthesis applied to analyse evidence.ResultsNineteen studies were included. Eleven studies looked at pharmacy staff, four at users and four at both groups. Users found services accessible and convenient and staff found service provision feasible. However, several barriers to service delivery were identified including lack of privacy for delivering services, lack of trained staff available to provide services and subjective judgements being made on who should be provided or offered a service.DiscussionBarriers to service delivery need to be addressed to allow pharmacies to deliver their full potential. Future research on pharmacy-based gonorrhoea and syphilis screening, and hepatitis B vaccination is needed.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42018106807.

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Section: Suitabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Privacymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Counsellingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Counsellingmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Pharmacy-based sexual health services: a systematic review of experiences and attitudes of pharmacy users and pharmacy staff

et al. 2019

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“…Consumer awareness of emergency contraception (EC) in Australia is traditionally poor . EC is any method used following unprotected sexual intercourse (due to a lack of contraception, contraceptive failure or sexual assault) to prevent unintended pregnancy .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Emergency contraception awareness in an at‐risk population

Hope

Hattingh

King

2019

Pharmacy Practice and Res

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Background Consumer awareness of emergency contraception is generally poor. School leavers (schoolies) engage in risky behaviours, including casual sex and alcohol and drug consumption. Aim The aim of this study was to explore the awareness of an at‐risk population of schoolies regarding the use and availability of emergency contraception. Methods An electronic survey was self‐administered by participants using Wi‐Fi‐connected iPads at the Schoolies Wristband Distribution Centre, Surfers Paradise, on the first day of Queensland Schoolies Week, November 2017. Outcomes measured were awareness of the availability of emergency contraception from a pharmacy, maximum time for effective use following unprotected intercourse and whether emergency contraception is harmful to the health of the user. Results Schoolies completed 498 valid surveys. Most (83.5%) were aged 17 years and 50.8% were aware that emergency contraception is available from community pharmacies with prescription and 36.7% were aware that it is available without prescription; 18.5% were aware of the 72‐ or 120‐h effectiveness window and 38.0% agreed that it is not harmful. All questions were associated with considerable uncertainty. Females were 1.8‐ to 3.2‐fold more likely than males to provide an appropriate response to any emergency contraception statement. Conclusion Schoolies’ awareness of emergency contraception availability, effectiveness window and safety was low. At‐risk schoolies may not access emergency contraception when indicated due to fear of harm, uncertainty about its effectiveness window or a lack of knowledge about timely non‐prescription access from community pharmacies. Targeted education may improve current knowledge gaps. The misnomer ‘morning‐after pill’ should be abandoned for the clinically appropriate term ‘emergency contraception’.

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Pharmacy-based initiatives to reduce unintended pregnancies: A scoping review

Buckingham

Amos

Hussainy

et al. 2021

Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy

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Emergency contraception over-the-counter: Practices and attitudes of pharmacists and pharmacy assistants in far North Queensland

Abstract: This study has documented OTC EC dispensing services in the District and identified areas for improvement. A working group has been established to oversee the development and distribution of customer information packs and information for pharmacists on referral options.

Cited by 8 publications

References 14 publications

Pharmacy-based sexual health services: a systematic review of experiences and attitudes of pharmacy users and pharmacy staff

Pharmacy-based sexual health services: a systematic review of experiences and attitudes of pharmacy users and pharmacy staff

Emergency contraception awareness in an at‐risk population

Pharmacy-based initiatives to reduce unintended pregnancies: A scoping review

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