Australian pharmacy students’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours regarding emergency contraception

Abstract

Background: Pharmacists are critical in providing timely access to emergency contraception (EC) and their knowledge and counselling on EC is paramount. Aims: To describe pharmacy students’ knowledge of, attitudes toward, and behaviours related to EC in the Australian context. Methods: A questionnaire was distributed to five year levels of pharmacy students at an Australian university in 2011. Participants were asked multiple response and true/false questions on EC knowledge and behaviours. A 5-point Likert scale was used to determine attitudes about EC. Results: Of 356 students present at survey distribution, 347 (97.5%) responded. Progression through the pharmacy programme correlated with increasing knowledge regarding EC for most questions (p<0.01). As students advanced in the programme their self-perception of competence to counsel EC increased (p<0.001) and they were more likely to agree that EC should be available without prescription, but with requisite pharmacist counselling (p<0.001). Conclusion: Focused teaching impacts on students’ knowledge of EC and intentions to comply with professional responsibilities in supplying and counselling EC.