Intercepción poscoital hormonal en un servicio de planificación familiar / Postcoital hormonal contraception in a family planning service

RESUMEN

Objetivo. Conocer las características de la población atendida en el Servicio de Planificación Familiar de Lleida que demanda la intercepción poscoital, y conocer su uso y efectos en dicha población. Método. Se planteó un estudio epidemiológico observacional transversal, que fue realizado durante 3 años, entre 1999 y 2001. Se estudió a todas las mujeres que acudieron durante los 3 años al mencionado servicio de planificación familiar y que solicitaron la intercepción poscoital, a las que se aplicó una encuesta estructurada que fue cumplimentada por una enfermera del mismo servicio. Se recogieron variables relativas a aspectos sociodemográficos de las mujeres y al uso y a los efectos de la intercepción poscoital. Resultados. Las 2.813 mujeres estudiadas tenían una media de edad de 21,5 años. El 92,3% (2.577) conocía la existencia de la intercepción poscoital, pero 2.018 (72,3%) de ellas la demandaban por primera vez. El motivo principal de la demanda era la rotura del preservativo, con una frecuencia de 1.741 (62,1%). Las mujeres tardaban 33,7 h de promedio en solicitar el tratamiento. La menstruación apareció en el 98,6% de las mujeres que acudieron al control poscoital. Conclusiones. Los resultados encontrados en el presente estudio coinciden bastante con los de la bibliografía especializada. Creemos que es necesario potenciar la educación sexual de la juventud

ABSTRACT

Objective. To determine the characteristics of the population seeking postcoital hormonal contraception in the family planning service of Lleida (Spain) and to determine the use and effects of this form of contraception in this population. Method. We performed an epidemiological, observational, cross-sectional study over a 3-year period (1999-2001). All women who attended the family planning service in the study period and who requested postcoital hormonal contraception were included. In all subjects a structured interview was performed by a nurse from the family planning service. Variables relating to sociodemographic factors and the use and effects of this form of contraception were gathered. Results. A total of 2813 women were studied. The mean age was 21.5 years. Nearly all the women (92.3% [2577]) knew about postcoital hormonal contraception but 2018 (72.3%) had not requested it previously. The main reason for seeking this form of contraception was condom rupture, with a frequency of 1741 (62.1%). The mean interval before requesting postcoital hormonal contraception was 33.7 hours. Menstruation occurred in 98.6% of the women who sought emergency contraception. Conclusions. The results of the present study are in fairly close agreement with those reported in the specialist literature. We believe that sex education should be increased among young peopleObjective. To determine the characteristics of the population seeking postcoital hormonal contraception in the family planning service of Lleida (Spain) and to determine the use and effects of this form of contraception in this population. Method. We performed an epidemiological, observational, cross-sectional study over a 3-year period (1999-2001). All women who attended the family planning service in the study period and who requested postcoital hormonal contraception were included. In all subjects a structured interview was performed by a nurse from the family planning service. Variables relating to sociodemographic factors and the use and effects of this form of contraception were gathered. Results. A total of 2813 women were studied. The mean age was 21.5 years. Nearly all the women (92.3% [2577]) knew about postcoital hormonal contraception but 2018 (72.3%) had not requested it previously. The main reason for seeking this form of contraception was condom rupture, with a frequency of 1741 (62.1%). The mean interval before requesting postcoital hormonal contraception was 33.7 hours. Menstruation occurred in 98.6% of the women who sought emergency contraception. Conclusions. The results of the present study are in fairly close agreement with those reported in the specialist literature. We believe that sex education should be increased among young people