Trends in knowledge of emergency contraception among women in California, 1999–2004

Objective

To examine trends in knowledge of emergency contraception (EC) and determine whether disparities in knowledge have persisted over time.

Study Design

This study is based on 6 years of the California Women’s Health Survey, a population-based telephone survey. We examine predictors of EC knowledge among 11,998 women age 18–44.

Results

Between 1999 and 2004, the percentage of women aware of EC increased from 40–57%. Despite this increase, disparities in EC knowledge based on women’s age, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status persist. Foreign-born Hispanic women, women whose income falls below the poverty level, and women who did not complete high school reported the lowest levels of EC knowledge in 2004.

Conclusions

Education efforts may increase overall knowledge of the method. However, efforts must tailor these messages to women who may be outside the reach of traditional media and remain unaware of EC.