College Student Perceptions of Pharmacist-provided Hormonal Contraception

Julie Feimster; Macary Weck Marciniak; Raisa El-Kurdi; Alexis Shook; Laura A Rhodes; Kaitlyn Queen; Kendall Heetderks; Mollie Ashe Scott

doi:10.1016/j.japh.2024.102116

College Student Perceptions of Pharmacist-provided Hormonal Contraception

J Am Pharm Assoc (2003). 2024 May 7:102116. doi: 10.1016/j.japh.2024.102116. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Julie Feimster¹, Macary Weck Marciniak², Raisa El-Kurdi³, Alexis Shook⁴, Laura A Rhodes⁵, Kaitlyn Queen⁶, Kendall Heetderks⁷, Mollie Ashe Scott⁸

Affiliations

¹ Community-based Psychiatry Fellow, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy and Campus Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC; at time of study, PGY1 Community-based Pharmacy Resident, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC.
² Associate Professor and Director, PGY1 Community-based Pharmacy Residency Program, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC. Electronic address: macary_marciniak@unc.edu.
³ Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner, Campus Health, Chapel Hill, NC; Site Coordinator, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy and Campus Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC.
⁴ Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner, Campus Health, Chapel Hill, NC; Site Coordinator, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy and Campus Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC; at time of study, Community-based Psychiatry Fellow, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy and Campus Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC.
⁵ Assistant Professor and Assistant Director, PGY1 Community-based Pharmacy Residency Program, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC: at time of study, Research Advisor, PGY1 Community-based Pharmacy Residency Program, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC.
⁶ PGY1 Community-based Pharmacy Resident, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC; at time of study, PharmD Candidate, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC.
⁷ PGY1 Pharmacy Resident - Ambulatory Care Track, Cone Health, Greensboro, NC; at time of study, PharmD Candidate, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC.
⁸ Regional Associate Dean, Clinical Associate Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Asheville, NC, and Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner, Mountain Area Health Education Center Family Health Center, Asheville, NC.

PMID: 38723853
DOI: 10.1016/j.japh.2024.102116

Abstract

Background: North Carolina immunizing pharmacists are authorized to provide oral and transdermal hormonal contraception to eligible patients. In March 2022, implementation of this enhanced patient care service began statewide, following approval of standing orders and published training from the North Carolina Association of Pharmacists. Two pharmacy locations on a college campus began offering pharmacist-provided hormonal contraception shortly after approval.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the willingness of students to seek pharmacist-provided hormonal contraception and the willingness of students to pay for this service.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on the campus of a public, research-intensive University. To be included, individuals must have been 18 years of age or older, an enrolled student, and used prescribed hormonal birth control within the last year. Individuals who declined consent or surveys that were not at least 90% complete were excluded. The survey was administered via Qualtrics and distributed via email and printed flyers with a QR code. The survey opened February 10, 2023, and closed April 24, 2023.

Results: In total, 170 survey responses were analyzed. Almost three-fourths of participants (72.9%) were not aware that pharmacists could provide hormonal contraception in North Carolina. All participants identified at least one benefit to pharmacist-provided contraception, with the most common responses being "I believe it would save time" (85.3%) and "appointment not needed" (89.4%). Almost two-thirds of participants (65.3%) identified at least one barrier that would prevent them from seeking pharmacist-provided contraception. The most common barrier identified was privacy at the pharmacy (20.0%). Most participants (81.8%) reported that they are willing to pay for this service, with the majority willing to pay up to $29.

Conclusion: Students on this campus appear to have a receptive attitude towards pharmacist-provided hormonal contraception and are willing to pay for a consultation.