PREGNANCY RISK AND USE OF EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION

Pregnancy Risk and use of Contraception

Pregnancy Risk and use of Contraception

Introduction

The authors (Williamson, Buston, Sweeting, 2009) have conducted the qualitative study through in depth interviews of twenty 20-year-old girls from eastern Glasgow area of Scotland. The study focused on reported use of emergency contraceptive and experiences of unprotected sex. They found that emergency contraception still remains an important backup contraceptive and should continue to be widely available, and that with high levels of unprotected sex, nonuse of emergency contraception and unintended pregnancies, further efforts are required to improve sexual and reproductive outcomes of disadvantaged young women.

Rationale for the research

Although steps involved in research process were included, insufficient detail of qualitative methodology was evident. The interview process and data analysis were not explained clearly or documented sufficiently. Interviews were referred to as “in-depth,” while analysis was simply called “framework analysis” in article.

Appropriateness of methodology

Framework analysis among other things could be grounded, systematic, dynamic or comprehensive. Gathering information in qualitative research is one of most important ways of showing rigor in the study, and it is important to document who interviewee were, as well as what “in-depth” meant in research (structured, semi-structured or unstructured). Such details obviously provide great credibility and dependability to the research and its findings. There was no acknowledgement of limitations to this study, which is important especially in qualitative studies where the researcher is the part of study (e.g., gathering data, coding, interpretation, themes). (Finer 2003:15)

Discussion and Analysis

Sample-choice and management

The findings of this study are important in helping scientists, program developers and policy makers assist adolescents, especially underserved or disadvantaged, to appreciate science of emergency contraception and provide them with knowledge of pregnancy risks.

Data collection methods

In order to support work in our field, it is critical that researchers and journals in which they disseminate findings provide adequate documentation of methods used in studies. The majority of young women interviewed in this study had used EC at some point; half also reported sex which was unprotected. EC use followed contraceptive failure and single, unplanned events of unprotected sex, and its provision and easy access potentially prevented young women in this study from experiencing an unintended pregnancy following such events (Williamson, Buston, Sweeting, 2009).

Of four young women who reported they had never used EC, two had not experienced the specific pregnancy risk event requiring use and only one thought that it was wrong to use EC.

Data analysis methods

However, carrying outcome from in another place, EC was not utilised when unprotected sex became normal behavior. Some studies have found that EC use after contraceptive failure is perceived to be more socially acceptable than use after unprotected sex, and trials of advance EC provision have found that many women will still not use EC when they have unprotected sex, even if they have an advance supply. (Ellertson 2001:570)

Research rigour and research limitations

Since the dedicated emergency contraceptive product became available by prescription in United States in 1998, various efforts have been made to facilitate access ...