Abstract

Background. Given that knowledge about emergency contraception can be very useful in promoting sexual health and reproductive health, especially in adolescents, its deficiency could decrease its prescription and use. Aim. To describe the knowledge about emergency contraceptive methods of a group of female adolescent secondary education students from the Hualqui commune, Chile. Method. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out. 115 adolescent women students from first to fourth year of high school at San Juan Bautista high school in Hualqui, Eighth Region of Chile, were surveyed. General sexual health and reproductive health backgrounds, and knowledge of emergency contraception, its use, and forms of acquisition were explored. Results. The average age was 16,1 years. 39% of the students were sexually active, and on average started their sex life at 15,3 years and had 2,1 sexual partners. The most widely used contraceptive method was injectable hormonal contraception (31,1%), followed by combined oral contraception (20,0%). Regarding the emergency contraception, 80,9% stated that they knew of their free delivery, while 11,1% stated that they had ever used them. 91,3% of respondents considered it necessary to have more information. Conclusions. The adolescents participating in the study showed some degree of knowledge regarding emergency contraception, despite not using it regularly. However, the majority expressed the need for greater access to information related to the topic.