Research Lead: Cynthia J. Mollen, MD, MSCE
Sponsored By: The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Foerderer Murray Award, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Dates: July 2006- June 2008
Background
While data suggest that the teenage birth rate is on the rise and the costs of unintended teenage pregnancy remain high, many adolescents are unaware of the emergency contraceptive pill as a pregnancy prevention option. Previous studies also indicate that adolescents face knowledge gaps and other barriers to emergency contraception use. This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of urban minority adolescent girls about emergency contraception use.
Aims
- Explore the intention to use emergency contraception.
- Identify barriers to the use of the emergency contraceptive pill.
- Inform interventions aimed at addressing barriers to emergency contraception for this adolescent population.
Methods
Study Design: In-depth semi-structured interviews.
Population: 30 healthy, urban-dwelling, English-speaking 15- to 19-year-old African American women seeking care in a children’s hospital emergency department.
Progress
Findings from this study have appeared in:
Mollen CJ, Barg FK, Hayes KL, Gotcsik M, Blades NM, Schwarz DF. Adolescent input for designing an emergency department-based intervention about emergency contraception: results from an in-depth interview study. Ped Emerg Care. 2009 Oct;25(10):625-628.
