Crisis Pregnancy Agency launches new ‘think contraception’ interactive digital drama
The Crisis Pregnancy Agency today launched a new digital initiative to encourage correct and consistent contraceptive use among sexually active adults. The new ‘Think Contraception’ interactive drama is one of the first of its kind in Ireland and invites the target audience to participate in the game ‘A Night to Remember,’ by directing the events and realising the consequences of any decisions made. The initiative addresses the Agency’s first mandate, which is to bring about a reduction in the number of crisis pregnancies by the provision of education, advice and contraceptive services.
The Irish Contraception and Crisis Pregnancy Study (ICCP, 2004) found that the most common reason cited by 18-25 year olds for not consistently using contraception in the past year was that sex was unplanned or they were unprepared. The new drama aims to promote the importance of planning ahead, as users can direct events and see the possible consequences of their decisions. The drama builds on the ‘Think Contraception’ campaign message that ‘Nobody else is going to do the thinking for you’ when it comes to contraception use. Possible endings of the drama highlight the need for correct and consistent use of contraception and encourage users to learn more about various contraception methods, fertility, abstinence and sexual health.
The digital drama is now live on www.thinkcontraception.ie/game, allowing users to make decisions for the drama’s characters, Emma and Paul based on a number of scenarios and events. At the end of each scenario, the player finds out the possible consequences of their decisions. Links into the relevant section of the thinkcontraception.ie website highlight how they can find out more about how they can make healthy decisions in their own lives.
Director of the Crisis Pregnancy Agency, Caroline Spillane said: “Since its establishment, the Agency has endeavoured to engage, educate and empower sexually active adults to look after their sexual health. This new initiative aims to connect with web-savvy adults and highlight the importance of using contraception to help prevent crisis pregnancy.”
Ms Spillane added: “Research tells us that 18-25 year olds know about the importance of using contraception, but fail to use it consistently and often take risks when sex is not planned for. By giving users the chance to see the possible outcomes of sexual behaviour in a digital arena, the new ‘Think Contraception’ interactive drama aims to encourage sexually active adults to plan for, talk about and ultimately use contraception correctly each and every time they have sex.”
ENDS
For further information:
Lorna Farren
Crisis Pregnancy Agency
01 814 6292
087 6289831
Enda Saul
Crisis Pregnancy Agency
01 814 6292
085 7172008
Editor’s Notes:
1. The Crisis Pregnancy Agency (CPA) was established in 2001 and is mandated to provide for:
A) A reduction in the number of crisis pregnancies by the provision of education, advice and contraceptive services
B) A reduction in the number of women with crisis pregnancies who opt for abortion by offering services and support which make other options more attractive
C) The provision of counselling services, medical services and other health services for the purpose of providing support, after crisis pregnancy, as may be deemed appropriate by the Agency.
2. Large-scale research commissioned by the Agency has shown that among 18 – 25 year olds, 26% did not report consistent use of contraception in the last year, while 42% of 18-25 year olds who had experienced a pregnancy reported it as a crisis (Irish Contraception and Crisis Pregnancy [ICCP] Study, 2004).
