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Hong Kong: Difference between revisions
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===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ||
In Hong Kong, you can easily purchase contraceptives with no prescription, including condoms, hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills, implants, injections), diaphragms and intra-uterine devices (IUDs). | In Hong Kong, you can easily purchase contraceptives with no prescription, including condoms, hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills, implants, injections), diaphragms and intra-uterine devices (IUDs). No prescription is required for condoms; they can be found in most drugstores, pharmacies and supermarkets. For oral contraceptives (birth control pills), a prescription is often not required, but it's required for some pills. Nuvaring is not currently available. In 2012, a study found that 40% of HK women had used contraceptives at one point in their lives. | ||
===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ||
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* In Hong Kong, you can find condoms sold in convenience stores, sex shops, etc. You can also purchase them online - for example, click [https://www.wanta.net/en/shop/prod_default.asp?ProdID=1869&CatID=1&DepID=1 here] or [http://dumdum.hk/en/pages.php?pageid=4 here] to find online sellers in Hong Kong. | * In Hong Kong, you can find condoms sold in convenience stores, sex shops, etc. You can also purchase them online - for example, click [https://www.wanta.net/en/shop/prod_default.asp?ProdID=1869&CatID=1&DepID=1 here] or [http://dumdum.hk/en/pages.php?pageid=4 here] to find online sellers in Hong Kong. | ||
* If you want '''birth control pills''', | * If you want '''oral contraceptives (birth control pills)''', they are primarily available over-the-counter (i.e. no prescription required). You can find both Combined Oral Contraceptive (COC) pills and Progestogen-only pills (POPs), and about 20 brands registered in Hong Kong. The pills primarily come from European or US-based pharmaceutical companies. Some brands you can expect to see are Marvelon, Mercilon, Microgynon, Nordette, Rigevidon, Yasmin and Yaz. For more information on oral contraceptives in Hong Kong, you can visit the [https://www.drugoffice.gov.hk/eps/do/en/consumer/news_informations/dm_10.html Hong Kong Drug Office website (oral contraceptives page)]. | ||
** Note: While many generic oral contraceptives are available in Hong Kong, you may want to research some brands in advance. For example, the Yasmin/Yaz brand, which has been found to cause blood clots, is available with no pharmacist's/doctor's warnings in HK pharmacies, as reported by the South China Morning Post. Says the [http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/1857809/handle-care-hong-kong-health-expert-urges-more article], "When a female Post journalist tried to buy the pills at a popular Hong Kong pharmacy chain, no questions were asked; it was only when the journalist asked about their side effects, after purchase, that the pharmacist told her she should consult her doctor." | ** Note: While many generic oral contraceptives are available in Hong Kong, you may want to research some brands in advance. For example, the Yasmin/Yaz brand, which has been found to cause blood clots, is available with no pharmacist's/doctor's warnings in HK pharmacies, as reported by the South China Morning Post. Says the [http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/1857809/handle-care-hong-kong-health-expert-urges-more article], "When a female Post journalist tried to buy the pills at a popular Hong Kong pharmacy chain, no questions were asked; it was only when the journalist asked about their side effects, after purchase, that the pharmacist told her she should consult her doctor." | ||
* If you want the '''contraceptive shot/injection''', you can find Depo-Provera in Hong Kong.<ref>[http://contraceptive.ippf.org/search?search.searchtext=&search.component=&search.countrycode=HK IPPF Hong Kong]</ref> | * If you want the '''contraceptive shot/injection''', you can find Depo-Provera in Hong Kong.<ref>[http://contraceptive.ippf.org/search?search.searchtext=&search.component=&search.countrycode=HK IPPF Hong Kong]</ref> | ||
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In Hong Kong, you officially need a prescription to obtain emergency contraception at pharmacies.<ref>[http://www.cecinfo.org/country-by-country-information/status-availability-database/countries/hong-kong/ EC Status and Availability: Hong Kong]</ref> However, some locals report that you can buy it without a prescription at pharmacies. You can also obtain EC from the Family Planning Association Hong Kong (FPAHK), family doctors and government clinics without a prescription. FPAHK also allows people to purchase in EC in advance, which they can store at home in case of emergencies. There is no confirmed data on age restrictions for EC in Hong Kong. If you do have a prescription, you can find EC at pharmacies. Note that, while Hong Kong is technically a part of China, it has different policies than mainland China (where EC is widely accessible). | In Hong Kong, you officially need a prescription to obtain emergency contraception at pharmacies.<ref>[http://www.cecinfo.org/country-by-country-information/status-availability-database/countries/hong-kong/ EC Status and Availability: Hong Kong]</ref> However, some locals report that you can buy it without a prescription at pharmacies. You can also obtain EC from the Family Planning Association Hong Kong (FPAHK), family doctors and government clinics without a prescription. FPAHK also allows people to purchase in EC in advance, which they can store at home in case of emergencies. There is no confirmed data on age restrictions for EC in Hong Kong. If you do have a prescription, you can find EC at pharmacies. Note that, while Hong Kong is technically a part of China, it has different policies than mainland China (where EC is widely accessible). | ||
According to studies, Hong Kong residents | According to studies, many Hong Kong residents lack proper education on emergency contraception (EC). Many women think that emergency contraception causes abortions. This lack of awareness is also found in the medical community. In a 2007 study, doctors scored 6.08 out of 12 in a simple test of emergency contraceptive knowledge. However, this data is quite old, so the level of education may have changed. | ||
The HK government has claimed that, if they make EC available at all pharmacies, they are promoting promiscuity. However, as written in [https://www.hongkongfp.com/2016/03/08/morning-pills-made-available-counter-hong-kong/ Hong Kong Free Press], "It is debatable whether the fear of encouraging promiscuity, the lack of general knowledge among users, or concerns over misuse are legitimate reasons for the Hong Kong government to play the role of moral police and deny over-the-counter access to the pill." | The HK government has claimed that, if they make EC available at all pharmacies, they are promoting promiscuity. However, as written in [https://www.hongkongfp.com/2016/03/08/morning-pills-made-available-counter-hong-kong/ Hong Kong Free Press], "It is debatable whether the fear of encouraging promiscuity, the lack of general knowledge among users, or concerns over misuse are legitimate reasons for the Hong Kong government to play the role of moral police and deny over-the-counter access to the pill." | ||
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===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ||
For a full list of public Maternal and Child Health Centers in HK, visit [http://www.fhs.gov.hk/english/centre_det/maternal/maternal.html this link]. | * For a full list of public Maternal and Child Health Centers in HK, visit [http://www.fhs.gov.hk/english/centre_det/maternal/maternal.html this link]. | ||
* [http://www.motherschoice.org/en/our-services/pregnant-girls-services/ Pregnant Girls Support Centre]: "We are there for thousands of scared girls who have nowhere to turn each year. We want to ensure that every young girl who faces an unanticipated pregnancy knows the options available to her, and that we are here to help, counsel, and walk alongside them with non-judgmental and loving support." Address: Unit A, 21/F Legend Tower, 7 Shing Yip Street, Kwun Tong, Kowloon, Crisis Hotline: bigsister@motherschoice.org | (852) 2868 2022. | |||
===Costs=== | ===Costs=== | ||
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* [http://rainlily.rapecrisiscentre.org.hk/ Rain Lily (Rape Crisis Centre)]: Hotline: 2375-5322. Their website is in Cantonese & English. "Established on 8 March 1997, Association Concerning Sexual Violence Against Women (ACSVAW) is a non-government charitable organisation that works to raise awareness of sexual violence against women and promotes a gender equal environment. ACSVAW advocates for both the government and the community to provide adequate support to victims, to defend their rights and restore their lives with confidence and dignity." | * [http://rainlily.rapecrisiscentre.org.hk/ Rain Lily (Rape Crisis Centre)]: Hotline: 2375-5322. Their website is in Cantonese & English. "Established on 8 March 1997, Association Concerning Sexual Violence Against Women (ACSVAW) is a non-government charitable organisation that works to raise awareness of sexual violence against women and promotes a gender equal environment. ACSVAW advocates for both the government and the community to provide adequate support to victims, to defend their rights and restore their lives with confidence and dignity." | ||
* [http://www.swd.gov.hk/vs/english/intro.htmlSocial Welfare Department Victim Support]: This website provides info on government services for victims of domestic and sexual violence, including medical, welfare, police, legal aid, etc. You can also find information on victim's rights, statistics, research, etc. | * [http://www.swd.gov.hk/vs/english/intro.htmlSocial Welfare Department Victim Support]: This website provides info on government services for victims of domestic and sexual violence, including medical, welfare, police, legal aid, etc. You can also find information on victim's rights, statistics, research, etc. | ||
* [http://www.harmonyhousehk.org/eng/serviceimage/service2_eng.htm Harmony House HK] - Objectives: "To provide a safe and immediate refuge for female victims of domestic violence and their children. To offer 24-hour immediate support and referrals for families and intimate partners affected by domestic violence.. To empower abused women, and help them restore their dignity and establish harmonious relationship. To protect and address the needs of children who have witnessed or been affected by domestic violence." Self-referral through our 24-hour Women Hotline (Tel: 2522 0434). | * [http://www.harmonyhousehk.org/eng/serviceimage/service2_eng.htm Harmony House HK] - Objectives: "To provide a safe and immediate refuge for female victims of domestic violence and their children. To offer 24-hour immediate support and referrals for families and intimate partners affected by domestic violence.. To empower abused women, and help them restore their dignity and establish harmonious relationship. To protect and address the needs of children who have witnessed or been affected by domestic violence." Self-referral through our 24-hour Women Hotline (Tel: 2522 0434). | ||
* Soultalk: "For women who are feeling isolated and unable to cope with life in Hong Kong, especially coming from an abusive situation, call Soul Talks at 2525-6644." | * Soultalk: "For women who are feeling isolated and unable to cope with life in Hong Kong, especially coming from an abusive situation, call Soul Talks at 2525-6644." | ||