A influência do sobrepeso/ obesidade sobre o uso do levonorgestrel como método contraceptivo de emergência / The influence of overweight/obesity over the use of levonorgestrel as an emergency contraceptive method

A contracepção de emergência tem como objetivo prevenir uma gravidez indesejada após uma relação sexual desprotegida, falha do método contraceptivo regular ou agressão sexual. Dentre os métodos disponíveis atualmente, destaca-se a pílula hormonal de levonorgestrel (LNG) como uma das principais estratégias utilizadas, tendo em vista o perfil de segurança desse fármaco e a facilidade de acesso e utilização dele. No entanto, embora o efeito de tal molécula seja satisfatório, pesquisas sugerem que altos índices de massa corporal implicam uma redução da eficácia contraceptiva da pílula de LNG. Nesse sentido, esse estudo visa evidenciar, mediante revisão de literatura, a relação entre esse fármaco e sua competência em mulheres com sobrepeso ou obesidade, bem como expor quais medidas devem ser tomadas para evitar a gravidez indesejada nessas pacientes. Embora existam divergências, foi observado que a maior parte dos estudos indica que a composição corporal das pacientes pode influenciar na eficácia contraceptiva da molécula de LNG, de forma sinérgica ou não com outros fatores, especialmente quando considerado o IMC > 25 kg/m² ou peso > 75 kg, uma vez que o risco de gravidez pode aumentar de 1,5 até 4,4 vezes quando comparado aos padrões de normalidade, com tendência de crescimento em relação aos parâmetros de sobrepeso/obesidade.(AU)

The main goal of the emergency contraceptive is to prevent a non-planned pregnancy after the sexual relationship without condom, after the fail of the usual contraceptive or the sexual assault. Among all the currently available methods, the hormonal pill of levonorgestrel (LNG) has its importance as one of the most used strategies, due of its safety, easy access and use. However, in spite of the fact that this molecule has a good effect, some researches suggest that a high level of the body mass reduces the efficacy of the contraceptive pill of LNG. In this context, this study objective is to clarify, by using literature review, the relation between this drug and its competence in overweight/obese women, as well to expose which other options could be taken to avoid a non-planned pregnancy in those patients. Despite of the fact that there are divergences, the most part of the studies shows that patient's body composition can influence on the contraceptive effectiveness of the LNG molecule, sinergically or not to other factors, especially when the IMC > 25 kg/m² or the body weight > 75 kg, once the pregnancy risk can be raised from 1,5 to 4,4 times when compared to regular standards, with growth tendency when related to overweigh/obesity parameters.(AU)

Conhecimentos, práticas e atitudes frente à anticoncepção de emergência: revisão sistemática / Knowledge, practices and attitudes towards emergency contraception: systematic review / Conocimientos, prácticas y actitudes frente a la anticoncepción de emergencia: revisión sistemática

O objetivo deste estudo é realizar uma revisão sistemática das publicações científicas entre 2007 e 2016 sobre os conhecimentos, as práticas e as atitudes dos participantes frente à anticoncepção de emergência (AE). Efetuou-se uma busca em três bases de dados: Lilacs, BVS-Psi e Scielo, no período de 2007 a 2016. Foram encontrados 260 artigos, sendo incluídos 25 estudos após a avaliação de três juízes independentes. Sobre os conhecimentos acerca da AE, percebeu-se que saber da existência do método não significa ter conhecimento efetivo. Já os determinantes do uso, em geral, são a falha ou o esquecimento de um contraceptivo de rotina. Finalmente, as atitudes frente à AE são mais embasadas num posicionamento pessoal subjetivo que em conhecimento efetivo.

The aim of this study is to conduct a systematic review of the scientific publica-tions between 2007 and 2016 centered on the participants' knowledge, practices and attitudes towards emergency contraception (EC). A survey was done on three databases: Lilacs, BVS-Psi and Scielo, from 2007 to 2016. We found 260 articles, including 25 studies after the evaluation of three independent judges. Regarding the knowledge about AE, it was established that awareness of the method does not equate to effective knowledge about it. Usage is based on failure or forgetting a routine contraceptive. Finally, attitudes toward AE are more grounded in a subjective personal positioning than in effective knowledge.

El objetivo de este estudio es realizar una revisión sistemática de las publi-caciones científicas entre 2007 y 2016 sobre los conocimientos, las prácticas y las actitudes de los participantes frente a la anticoncepción de emergencia (AE). Se efectuó una búsqueda en tres bases de datos: Lilacs, BVS-Psi y Scielo, en el período de 2007 a 2016. Se encontraron 260 artículos, siendo incluidos 25 estudios después de la evaluación de tres jueces independientes. Sobre los conocimientos sobre la AE, se percibió que saber de la existencia del método no significa tener conocimiento efectivo. Los determinantes del uso, en general, son la falla o el olvido del anticonceptivo de rutina. Finalmente, las actitudes frente a la AE son más basadas en un posicionamiento personal subjetivo que en conocimiento efectivo.

Knowledge about emergency contraception among women referred for treatment at a university hospital in Brazil

BACKGROUND: Emergency contraception (EC) has many important indications. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of use and knowledge about the correct use of EC among women referred for treatment at a university hospital in Brazil. AIM: The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of use and knowledge about the correct use of EC among women referred for treatment at a university hospital in Brazil. METHODS: Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Settings: The study was conducted with patients admitted to the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA) from 2009 to 2010. Patients: Sexually active women aged 18 to 50 years. Interventions: Patients answered a questionnaire on the use of and knowledge about EC. Main Outcome Measures: Primary outcome: prevalence of knowledge about correct EC use. Secondary outcome: prevalence of EC use. RESULTS: 134 patients participated in this study. 61.2% of women reported regular use of birth control pills, 18.7% of condoms, 9.0% of other methods, 3.0% of intrauterine device, and 8.1% used no contraceptive method. As for EC, 86.5% of interviewees reported having knowledge about the method, and 43.1% of these reported knowing how to use EC. However, only 12.0% of interviewees correctly reported how EC should be used. The prevalence of EC use in our sample was 19.4%. CONCLUSIONS: Although most interviewees reported having some knowledge about EC, only a small number were able to accurately describe its proper use.

Evaluation of emergency contraception use among women receiving gynecological treatment in the Brazilian Amazon

INTRODUCTION: The use of a postcoital hormonal contraception regimen has been described and is known as emergency contraception (EC) or "the morning-after pill". The aim of this study was to evaluate the use and level of knowledge about emergency oral contraception (EC) among women attending the gynecology outpatient clinic of the Hospital Fundação Santa Casa de Misericórdia of the State of Pará, the second largest state in the Brazilian Amazon. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 316 sexually active women, aged 18 to 50 years, who attended the gynecology outpatient clinic. Participants were included based on spontaneous demand between June and July 2012. Patients answered a questionnaire with 29 questions, including: age in years, educational attainment, knowledge about EC, and previous use of the method. The primary outcome was knowledge on EC use. RESULTS: Participants' mean age was 31.84 years (SD ±8.00). As for their educational level, 46.84% of them had completed high school, and only 8.55% had higher education. Most of the women obtained information about EC through friends (48.61%, n = 152), and only 7.30% from their doctors. Although most participants (83.54%) reported to be aware of the method, only 0.63% reported that EC could be used up to 5 days after unprotected intercourse; 57.59% did not know how to use it; and 76.58% (n = 242) had never used the method. CONCLUSION: The women in our study seem to have a high level of knowledge and prevalence of use of emergency contraception, although few of them knew about the time limit for its use. They should receive more information about emergency contraception

La anticoncepción de emergencia en Chile: estructuración de su demanda en función de variables socioeconómicas / Emergency contraception in Chile: The structure of demand based on socio-economic variables / /Contraceptivo de emergência no Chile: estruturação da sua demanda em função das variáveis socioeconômicas

En enero del año 2010 se aprobó en Chile la ley 20.418 que restableció la entrega de la anticoncepción de emergencia (píldora del día después) en el servicio público de salud del país, luego de que su distribución fuese prohibida por el Tribunal Constitucional en el 2007. A más de un año de la entrada en vigencia de la ley, el Ministerio de Salud publicó datos oficiales acerca de la entrega de este método anticonceptivo para el año 2010, lo que abre nuevas posibilidades para comprender los niveles de accesibilidad y de demanda. El presente trabajo analiza por primera vez la estructuración de dicha demanda en el Sistema Nacional de Servicios de Salud, evaluando la incidencia de tres variables socioeconómicas: el estatus económico, el nivel de educación y la zona de residencia. Los resultados muestran que la tasa media de consultas por anticoncepción de emergencia en mujeres de 15 a 44 años fue de 2,53 consultas por cada mil mujeres en edad fértil. Esta tasa llega a 4,27 en mujeres adolescentes de entre 15 y 19 años, y sólo a 2,1 en mujeres de 20 a 44. Los mayores niveles de demanda se sitúan en las comunas con indicadores socioeconómicos deficientes, esto es, alto porcentaje de población comunal con un ingreso autónomo bajo, importante proporción de personas sin educación secundaria completa, y un alto porcentaje de población residente en zonas rurales.

In January 2010 Chilean law restored the provision of emergency contraception (morning-after pill) at public health services, after the Constitutional Court had banned its distribution in 2007. More than a year after the law went into force the Ministry of Health published, for the first time, official data on the application of this contraceptive method, a fact that opens up new possibilities for understanding its levels of demand and accessibility. This paper analyzes the demand on the national health system, evaluating the effects of three socioeconomic variables: economic status, educational level and place of residence. The results show that the average number of appointments for emergency contraception in women between the ages of 15 and 44 was 2.53 per 1,000 women. The rate was 4.27 for adolescent girls between ages 15 and 19, and only 2.1 in women aged 20-44. The highest levels of demand were seen in areas with low socio-economic indicators. In other words, a high percentage of the users were from low-income areas, many of them not having finished high school, and a high proportion lived in rural areas.

Em janeiro de 2010 foi aprovada, no Chile, a Lei n. 20.418 que restabeleceu a entrega do contraceptivo de emergência (pílula do dia seguinte) no serviço público de saúde do país, que tinha sido proibida pelo Tribunal Constitucional, em 2007. Mais de um ano depois da entrada em vigor da Lei, o Ministério da Saúde publicou dados oficiais sobre a entrega deste método contraceptivo para o ano de 2010, o que abre novas possibilidades para entender os níveis de acessibilidade e de demanda. O presente trabalho analisa, pela primeira vez, a estrutura desta demanda no Sistema Nacional de Serviços de Saúde, avaliando a incidência de três variáveis socioeconômicas: a condição econômica, a escolaridade e a área de residência. Os resultados mostram que a taxa média de consultas pelo contraceptivo de emergência, entre mulheres de 15 a 44 anos, foi de 2,53 consultas por mil mulheres em idade fértil. Essa taxa corresponde a 4,27, para as adolescentes de 15 a 19 anos, e a 2,1, entre as mulheres de 20 a 44 anos. Os maiores níveis da demanda foram registrados nas comunidades com indicadores socioeconômicos deficientes (comunidades de baixa renda), ou seja, elevadas proporções de população de comunidades de baixo poder aquisitivo, de pessoas sem ensino médio completo e de população residente nas zonas rurais.

Awareness of emergency contraception among female college students in Chandigarh, India.

SUMMARY: Adolescents and young women are at the greatest risk of unintended pregnancy because they are unlikely to see a family planning provider before or immediately after the sexual activity. Therefore, preventing unintended pregnancy among them is the important concern. Sexually active young women are clients with special needs for contraception. They are eligible to use a variety of the available contraceptives. Introduction of emergency contraception (EC) in the recent past can help them avoid such unintended pregnancies. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the awareness of emergency contraception in female college students. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted among college-going undergraduate and graduate female students of Punjab University, Chandigarh. Systematic random sampling was used to select the respondents. RESULTS: Of the 1,017 college students included in the study, 507 (49.9%) knew about different contraceptive methods. Maximum awareness was regarding oral contraceptive pills (239, 47.1%). Only 74 (7.3%) had knowledge about emergency contraceptive pills (ECP). Of them, 10 (14.7%) students knew the correct time for use of ECP and the side effects of ECP were known to 48 (88.9%) respondents. CONCLUSIONS: Awareness about ECP was very low among female college students of Chandigarh, especially regarding correct timing of its use and its side effects. Appropriate awareness programs on EC are needed for them.

Anticoncepcionais de emergência: por que näo usar? / Emergency contraceptives: why not use them?

Artigo de revisäo sobre métodos anticoncepcionais de emergência, abordando seu mecanismo de açäo, eficácia e indicações, ilustrado com questionário informal, realizado com estudantes do primeiro ano do Curso de Ciências Médicas da FMRP-USP. O inquérito mostrou ser o método pouco conhecido e os que o conheciam apresentaram dúvidas sobre seu mecanismo de açäo e efeitos adversos