Pharmacy availability of emergency contraception in southwestern Pennsylvania: A simulated patient study.

Objective: To assess the availability of oral emergency contraception in southwestern Pennsylvania pharmacies.

Study Design: We conducted a simulated patient study to assess on-the-shelf availability of levonorgestrel emergency contraception and immediate availability of ulipristal acetate emergency contraception.

Results: Only 44% of pharmacies stocked levonorgestrel on-the-shelf and only 5% of pharmacies had ulipristal acetate immediately available.

Perceived Barriers and Facilitators to Contraceptive Use Among Women Veterans Accessing the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System.

Background: Although many studies evaluate factors influencing contraceptive use, little is known about barriers and facilitators that may be specific to or prevalent among women veterans using the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System (VA).

Design: Semistructured telephone interviews with a national sample of 189 women veterans at risk for unintended pregnancy who receive care in the VA were used to explore barriers and facilitators to contraceptive use as well as elicit suggestions for improving VA contraceptive care. The sample consisted primarily of women with risk factors for adverse reproductive health outcomes, including belonging to ethnic/racial minority groups, having a medical or mental health condition(s), and/or reporting a history of military sexual trauma.