Student pharmacist knowledge and attitudes regarding oral emergency contraception

Abstract

ObjectivesTo describe student pharmacist knowledge and attitudes regarding oral emergency contraceptives (OECs) and identify factors affecting student pharmacists' knowledge of and attitudes toward OECs. DesignCross-sectional survey. SettingUnited States, May through June 2006. ParticipantsStudents enrolled in a U.S. school/college of pharmacy with an American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists chapter. Intervention33-item electronic survey containing 9 questions evaluating knowledge, 16 questions assessing attitudes, and 8 questions requesting demographic information. Main outcome measuresOverall scores for the knowledge and attitudes sections were calculated for each student. Statistical analyses were then performed to determine the relationships between knowledge and attitude scores and the different demographic variables. Results752 students participated in the survey. On the knowledge portion of the survey, respondents correctly answered a mean of 5.9 of 9 items. Factors affecting total knowledge scores included the student's academic year (P < 0.0001), previous participation in a course that covered contraception (P < 0.0001), and having covered OECs specifically in that course (P = 0.039). The average attitude score was 56.5 (range 20-80). The attitude scores of students with higher knowledge scores were more favorable toward OECs (P = 0.05). Political beliefs and religious affiliation also had a significant effect on total attitude scores (P < 0.0001 for both). ConclusionPersonal factors such as religious affiliation and political viewpoints play a considerable role in student pharmacist attitudes toward OECs. However, students who have more knowledge of OECs are more supportive of them and have fewer concerns about their use. Based on these data, inclusion of this topic in pharmacy school curricula is important in helping students to develop fully informed opinions regarding OECs.