(021) “DAY AFTER PILL” - STUDENTS KNOWLEDGE AND OPINION
Authors: Jorg D , Zborowska K 
Published: December 2024

Introduction

EllaOne (“day after pill”) tablets contain the active ingredient ulipristal acetate, which is a selective progesterone receptor modulator. It works by acting on the body’s receptors for the naturally occurring female sex hormone, progesterone. EllaOne works by preventing or delaying ovulation. Emergency contraception is not the abortion pill, is a birth control. The decision of the European Commission on 7 January 2015 to change the legal status of supply for EllaOne from “Prescription only” to “over the counter”. However, subsequent changes in the country’s leadership led to further revisions and a return to previous arrangements – EllaOne was again available by prescription due to changes in pharmaceutical law. On February 22, 2024, the Polish Parliament (Sejm) passed an amendment to the Pharmaceutical Law. The bill proposed making emergency contraception containing ulipristal acetate (EllaOne) available over the counter for individuals above 15 years old. This was intended to change the classification of the ellaOne medicinal product from prescription-only (Rx) to over-the-counter (OTC). The Senate did not propose any amendments to the Law, however, the President did not sign the bill and vetoed it. As a result of these events, the Minister of Health decided to initiate a pilot program for pharmacist-led patient care in the field of reproductive health. This is intended to provide access to emergency contraception in Poland.

Objective

The present research examined knowledge and opinion of polish students (Medical and healthcare-related fields) about EllaOne. In the present study, we compare the results obtained in 2015 with those from 2024 and analyze their similarities and differences.

Methods

The total number of participants examined is 850 students. The research was conducted in 2015 (with 428 participants) and in 2024 (with 422 participants). Questionnaire contain 10 questions about slide effects, difference of abortion pill and how it works. For statistical analysis authors used IBM SPSS Statistics.

Results

The results show that 55% participants (54,9% of all females, 53,2% of all males) were the opposite to chance the legal status off “day after pill”. But, in case of emergency situation in their private life 46,4% of females and 33,9% of males declare they would not use of the possibility to get emergency contraception or support those decision (if ask men). Over 60% of participants correct answer to the question about differences between emergency contraception and abortion pill. Only 11,7% of participants completed 4 or 5 points (5 max.) in knowledge about EllaOne, 68,7% participants had 2 or less correct answers. In the question about how EllaOne works, only 15% had knowledge about it. There was a significant correlation between knowledge and opinion about chance legal status of EllaOne (r = 0,3; p &lt; 0,01). At the time of submission, the results from 2024 are still being analyzed.

Conclusions

Results indicated great need for better education in future medical personnel, to give the professional knowledge patients in need. The changes in the status of the “morning-after pill” alone demonstrate how much changes in the political landscape in Poland affect access to emergency contraception.

Disclosure

No.