The impact of over-the-counter availability of “Plan B” on teens' contraceptive decision making

In ruling on the over-the-counter status (OTC) of the emergency contraceptive, “Plan B”, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) questioned whether younger adolescent females could adequately self-select and self-medicate. That determination requires a judgment of fact, regarding how increased eme...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Social science & medicine (1982) 2008-08, Vol.67 (4), p.618-627
Main Authors: Krishnamurti, Tamar, Eggers, Sara L., Fischhoff, Baruch
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adolescent Behavior
Adolescents
Adolescents Sexual behavior Emergency contraception Decision-making competence Drug regulation USA
Adult
Birth Control
Contraception
Contraception Behavior
Contraceptives, Postcoital - supply & distribution
Decision Making
Decision-making competence
Developmental psychology
Drug regulation
Drugs
Emergency contraception
Federal regulation
Female
Females
Humans
Levonorgestrel - supply & distribution
Nonprescription drugs
Nonprescription Drugs - supply & distribution
Public Policy
Regulation
Sexual Behavior
Sexual behaviour
Social norms
Teenagers
U.S.A
USA
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Summary:In ruling on the over-the-counter status (OTC) of the emergency contraceptive, “Plan B”, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) questioned whether younger adolescent females could adequately self-select and self-medicate. That determination requires a judgment of fact, regarding how increased emergency contraceptive availability would affect adolescents' behavior, and a judgment of values, regarding the acceptability of different outcomes. We present a general approach to such problems, using analytical and empirical methods grounded in behavioral decision research. We illustrate it with findings from 30 in-depth interviews and follow-up surveys, with adolescent females aged 13–19 in the Pittsburgh area reporting how Plan B availability would affect three decisions (having sex, choosing contraceptives, using Plan B). Although the FDA expressed concern about younger teens using Plan B as their primary form of contraception, neither younger nor older teens revealed such an intention. However, teens preferred easier availability, should emergency contraceptive be needed. Incorporating an understanding of teens' decision-related perspectives can make such policies more predictable and transparent.
ISSN:0277-9536
1873-5347
DOI:10.1016/j.socscimed.2008.04.016