Background/Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the availability of emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) at college health centers since ECP went over-the-counter (OTC) in 2006. Related issues, such as distribution procedure, existence of a written protocol, personnel involved, contraindications, follow-up procedures, methods of advertising, and staff attitudes, were examined.
Method The sample included 135 college and university health centers in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Data were collected via telephone survey with the use of a 42-item survey instrument.
Analysis/Results Forty-three percent of schools reported distributing ECPs, for an average of 10.6 years. The majority of schools' intake procedures included patient education/discussion on ECP and birth control. All institutions distributing ECPs used Plan B (or Plan B One Step) as their only or primary type of ECP. Ninety percent of health centers charged students an average of $24 for ECP services. Almost half (48%) of the schools made ECP services available on weekends. The vast majority of schools offering ECPs (91%) advertised this service in one or more ways, most commonly the school website, health center brochures, peer educators, and fliers. Major changes in ECP distribution and usage since ECP went OTC related primarily to protocol in ECP distribution, advertising for ECP services, and ECP accessibility to university students.
Conclusions College health centers are responding to the OTC status of ECP in a number of ways, primarily relating to their distribution procedures and advertising techniques.