Emergency Contraceptive Pill

A ten year Strategy was launched in 1999, by the government with an objective to halve the under 18 Teenage Pregnancy conception rate by 2010. Research has shown that the increased availability and accessibility of the emergency contraceptive pill, (EC) has not had an impact on the new found reduction in the rate of unplanned pregnancy. Using a problem solving approach the author will examine how the nurse should influence and raise awareness of the availability of the emergency contraception pill, levonorgestrel 1.5 mg, during consultation with young teenagers, for long acting reversible contraception. For the purpose of this assignment a young person shall be classified as with the FFPHC (2004) Guidance that states that a ‘young person’
Glaiser & Lakha (2006) state that emergency contraception use is low even among women with no intention of conceiving, and is thus unlikely to reduce unintended pregnancy rates. The study showed that even with an advance supply of emergency contraception the women did not recognize or acknowledge that they were at risk (Glaiser et al 2004). This statement suggests that there has been no change in education towards known barriers of usage of emergency contraception such as lack of knowledge of how and when to use emergency contraception, difficulties with getting hold of it and reservations about using
The contraceptive nurse working with young people should be able to provide confidential advice to ensure that each young person is not discouraged from seeking the help they need about contraception for fear of their parents finding out.(FFPRHC 2004) The nurse must adhere to the NMC code of practice, (2002) remembering that the duty of confidentiality is not absolute. Where there is a risk to health, safety or welfare of a young person or others, which is so serious as to outweigh the young persons right to privacy, the protocols outlined in ‘working together to safeguard children’(2006) need to be