TEENAGERS KNOWLEDGE OF EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION - QUESTIONNAIRE SURVEYIN SOUTH EAST SCOTLAND

Objective-To determine the level of knowledge of emergency contracepti on among 14 and 15 year olds. Design-Confidential questionnaire survey . Setting-10 secondary schools in Lothian, south east Scotland. Subjec ts-1206 pupils predominantly (98.7%) aged 14 and 15 in the fourth year of secondary school. Main outcome measures-Knowledge of the existence of emergency contraception; of its safety, efficacy, and time limits; and of where to obtain it. Results-1121 (93.0%) fourth year pupils ag ed 14-16 had heard of emergency contraception. 194 girls (32.7%) and 1 68 boys (27.5%) had experienced sexual intercourse. Of girls who had e xperienced sexual intercourse, 61 (31.4%) had used emergency contracep tion. Knowledge of correct time limits was poor, sexually active girls being the most knowledgeable. Pupils attending schools ranked lower t han the national average for academic attainment were less likely to h ave heard of emergency contraception and more likely to have been sexu ally active. 861 (76.8%) pupils knew they could obtain emergency contr aception from their doctor. 925 (82.5%) pupils believed emergency cont raception to be effective but 398 (35.5%) thought it more dangerous th an the oral contraceptive pill. Conclusions-One third of sexually acti ve girls aged under 16 in Lothian have used emergency contraception. T his may help explain the fairly constant teenage pregnancy rates despi te increasing sexual activity. Scottish teenagers are well informed ab out the existence of emergency contraception. However, many do not kno w when and how to access it properly. Health education initiatives sho uld target teenagers from less academic schools as they are more likel y to be sexually active at a young age and are less well informed abou t emergency contraception.