Sociodemographic and sexual health profile of users of emergency hormonal contraception: data from a British probability sample survey

ObjectiveThis study aimed to identify factors associated with the use of emergency hormonal contraception (EHC).MethodsData from a probability sample survey of 12,110 men and women aged 16–44 living in Britain were used for this study; 5916 women were selected as potential users of EHC, defined as women reporting at least one male partner in the year prior to the survey.ResultsOf the 5916 women, 2.3% reported EHC use in the previous year. EHC use was more common among younger, single women, those with more than one sexual partner in the past year and those using condoms for contraception. It was significantly associated with experience of abortion (odds ratio adjusted for age, marital status and number of male partners: 2.40) but not with sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnosis.ConclusionsThe use of EHC identifies a group of women at increased risk of unplanned pregnancy and condom use but not STI acquisition. Provision of information on more reliable contraceptive methods is needed to reduce the risk of unplanned pregnancy recurrence.