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Not many takers for Emergency Contraceptive Pill

By Michelle Barrett-Pearce, Freelance Writer

Kingston, June 19, 2006 (Panos) - Despite the introduction of the Emergency Contraceptive Pill (ECP), Postinor 2 in Jamaica three years ago, research has shown that the demand for the drug is low, as some women prefer to opt for induced abortions.

The findings emerged from a recent study on the demand for emergency contraception among adolescents prepared for the Ministry of Health, Family Health Services by Hope Enterprises Limited. It suggested that annual abortions among adolescents range from a conservative 1,350 to a possible maximum of 4,912. It also revealed that young women aged 15 to 19 years and particularly those 15 to 16 years have a relatively high incidence of abortions compared to older teens and adults.

The study forms part of a joint programme in Sexual and Reproductive Health established by the Government of Jamaica, European Council and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

While presenting the study at a seminar on Sexual and Reproductive Health held recently, Maxine Wedderburn from Hope, a research based organization, noted that although Postinor 2 was readily available and accessible, adolescents refused to take the drug. She pointed out that they opted to undergo induced abortions, which is illegal in Jamaica.

“What is interesting to note is that although 62 per cent of the adolescents interviewed during our research have heard of Postinor 2 and 90 per cent of the interviewees know where to access it, they still see it as an “abortion agent” and stigmatizes those who use it,” said Mrs. Wedderburn, explaining that this could be one of the reasons for its under usage in Jamaica. Postinor 2, was gazetted by the Government of Jamaica as a list 2 over the counter drug as a means of providing a viable alternative to abortion.

She further noted that the current use of the ECP is under 20 per cent. She added that the statistics clearly indicated the need for the drug especially among adolescents from 15 to 19 years old who are most likely to be involved in casual sex or coerced into sex which sometimes result in unwanted pregnancies.

Risky self-induced abortions

“In addition to the fact that abortion mainly sought in medical facilities presents a far greater risk than using ECP, there is usually a significant amount of money involved and it can be very stressful for the young mother. There is therefore an obvious need for aggressive marketing of ECP to the target group most likely to need it as an alternative to abortion,” added Mrs. Wedderburn.

It has also been noted that some adolescents, who feared going to medical facilities opted for risky self-induced abortions using a number of methods such as Pepsi and Excedrin, coat hangers and jumping from high places.

Dr. Olivia McDonald, Executive Director of the National Family Planning Board commented that these figures were very interesting considering that ECP was available free of cost at government-funded health centers.

“The Ministry of Health has been using the media to spread the news about Postinor 2, but obviously more marketing of the drug needs to be done. Based on our own findings at the Family Planning Board, we realize that pharmacies are concerned about the abuse of Postinor 2 and so they do not encourage print materials on the drug near their dispensary counters,” she explained.