Objective:
This study describes Arkansas pharmacists’ knowledge, attitudes,
and beliefs regarding emergency contraception.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among a convenience
sample of pharmacists prior to a continuing education lecture.
The 16-item survey included multiple choice and true/false questions
to assess knowledge in addition to Likert-type scale questions
regarding attitudes and beliefs. Frequency and descriptive statistics
were calculated for all variables.
Results: Eighty-eight pharmacists completed the survey. A majority
(73%) knew that Plan B had been FDA-approved for nonprescription
use yet 42% believed that it works by disrupting a newly implanted
ovum. On a scale from 1-5 where 5=strongly agree, the mean item
score was 3.2 for whether emergency contraception should be available
for nonprescription use with counseling and 1.6 for nonprescription
use without counseling. When asked what they would do if presented
with a request for emergency contraception, 45.8% indicated they
would dispense the drug, 22.9% would refer the patient to another
pharmacist or pharmacy, 3.6% would refuse to dispense, and 27.7%
were not sure. Almost half (48.6%) did not believe they were competent
instructing patients on the use of emergency contraception.
Conclusions: The results show that pharmacists could benefit from
additional training on emergency contraception.
