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Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) are an underused resource among adolescent and young adult women who have unprotected sex. This analysis examines young women's attitudes about and willingness to use ECPs, with particular attention to their experiences with health care providers. Sexually active young women (ages 15–25, assigned female at birth, N = 212) completed a self-administered survey at 10 family planning clinics in the San Francisco Bay Area. Participants reported attitudes about ECP effectiveness, safety, effect on sex drive, and whether it should not be taken often, and their willingness to use ECPs in the next 3 months. The predictors of interest were past and current contraceptive experiences with health care providers. Data were analyzed through descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression analyses controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, prior contraceptive use, pregnancy history, and pregnancy intentions. Most young women agreed that ECPs are effective at preventing pregnancy (75%) and safe to use (71%); few reported that they reduce sex drive (11%). Yet, the majority (62%) believed ECPs should not be taken often and only 35% reported willingness to use ECPs. In multivariable analyses, more positive health care experiences were associated with more positive attitudes about ECP safety, less concern that ECPs should not be taken often, and greater willingness to use ECPs (p <.05). Health care providers play an important role in the acceptance and provision of ECPs, especially for young women who prefer ECPs over other contraceptive methods. In particular, providers can use the contraceptive visit as an opportunity to destigmatize repeat ECP use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objectives Research aimed at understanding women's experiences accessing emergency contraception (EC) services and the extent to which providers support women's autonomous contraceptive decision making is limited. This study explores young women's experiences with contraceptive counseling when accessing EC at family planning specialty clinics that serve young adult and adolescent patients. Methods We conducted 22 in-depth telephone interviews with women ages 15–25 years who had recently accessed EC at two San Francisco Bay Area youth-serving clinics about their thoughts and experiences using and accessing contraception. We analyzed transcripts thematically, using inductive qualitative analytic methods to identify patterns across the interviews. Results Most respondents described their recent clinic visit to access EC positively. Specifically, they expressed appreciation about receiving comprehensive information about other methods of contraception without pressure, judgment, or the expectation that they adopt a particular method. They also pointed to the influence of prior health care experiences in which they felt pressured or judged, leading them to avoid accessing future reproductive health services. Conclusions We found that young women seeking EC appreciated learning about other contraceptive methods, but do not want to feel pressured to adopt a method in addition to EC. Findings highlight the importance of respecting young women's contraceptive decisions for building and maintaining provider trust and suggest that contraceptive counseling approaches that prioritize specific methods may reduce some young women's trust in providers and use of reproductive health services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]