Emergency contraception for sexual assault victims in North Carolina emergency departments

INTRODUCTION: One in 5 women is a victim of sexual assault. This study examines the administration of emergency contraception to victims of sexual assault in North Carolina hospital emergency departments. METHODS: One hundred seventeen surveys were mailed to hospital emergency departments across the state to determine their emergency contraception practices for victims ofsexual assault. The survey contained 11 questions about emergency contraception practices for victims. RESULTS: Of the 117 surveys, 103 were returned revealing that just over 50% of the hospitals in North Carolina treated victims with emergency contraception without exception. Both dispensing emergency contraception and providing information about emergency contraception were significantly associated with having a sexual assault nurse examiner program. CONCLUSION: Results from this study demonstrate inconsistent provision of emergency contraception to victims of sexual assault; however, there is greater consistency of emergency contraception use by emergency departments using sexual assault nurse examiners.