Awareness, prior use, and intent to use emergency contraception among Montana women at the time of pregnancy testing.

Objectives: To identify factors associated with awareness of emergency contraception (EC), prior use of EC, and intent to use EC in the future among women at the time of pregnancy testing.

Methods: A convenience sample of women presenting for pregnancy testing and being found to be pregnant in 38 primary health care facilities completed a self-administered, anonymous questionnaire. Information regarding demography, pregnancy intentions, use of any contraception, awareness of EC, prior use of EC, and intent to use EC in the future was collected.

Results: Of the 583 women that completed the questionnaire, 62% were aware of EC, 4% had previously used EC, and 13% considered using EC in the future. Women aware of EC were more likely to be white, have > or = 12 years of education, and report use of birth control prior to the current pregnancy. Younger women, those with < 12 years of education, and those not currently living with a partner were more likely to have previously used EC. Women who considered using EC in the future were more likely to be younger, non-white, have < 12 years of education, not currently living with a partner, and their usual source of care was a public clinic. Women who considered using EC in the future were also more likely to not want to be pregnant now or ever (21%) compared to women who wanted to be pregnant now or sooner (12%), or with those who were unsure of their current pregnancy (7%).

Conclusion: Strategies need to be developed to increase the awareness of EC and determine the factors that would assist in enhancing its utilization.