QUANTITATIVE EVALUATION OF THE EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTIVES DISPENSATION IN CURITIBA, PR, BRAZIL, BETWEEN 2012 AND 2014

Abstract

Emergency contraception is the use of a drug for oral administration containing 1.5 mg of evonorgestrel, a synthetic progestin hormone used in cases where there is a failure in contraception routine, such as in unprotected sex, unplanned conception, or in cases of sexual violence. This study aimed to analyze the emergency contraceptives (EC) sales rates, during 2012 to 2014, in two dispensing pharmacies located in Curitiba, PR, Brazil. It was observed that the use of EC is increasing over the years and in the spring and summer, especially during the carnival period, there is a peak in sales. In 2014, there was an increase in sales during the World Cup held in Brazil in June and July. The pharmacy of the Pinheirinho neighborhood sold a greater quantity for the Xaxim, which may be related to its size and the overall volume of sales, the age and level of education among the population, socio-economic factors and the Human Development Index neighborhood, lower than Pinheirinho neighborhood. It can be concluded that the observed gradual increase in the sale of EC may be related to the lack orientation by the Pharmacist at the time of dispensing; the choice of another contraceptive method instead the conventional ones; the false sense of safety concerning to sexually transmittable diseases, as well as to the strong marketing and advertisements during in festive seasons.