A missed opportunity for care: two-visit IUD insertion protocols inhibit placement

Multilevel Barriers to Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptive Uptake: A Narrative Review

Unintended pregnancies, which occur in almost half (45%) of all pregnancies in the United States, are associated with adverse health and social outcomes for the infant and the mother. The risk of unintended pregnancies is significantly reduced when women use long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), namely intrauterine devices and implants. Although LARCs are highly acceptable to women at risk of unintended pregnancies, barriers to accessing LARCs hinder its uptake. These barriers are greater among racial and socioeconomic lines and persist within and across the intrapersonal, interpersonal, institutional, and policy levels. A synthesis of these barriers is unavailable in the current literature but would be beneficial to health care providers of reproductive-aged women, clinical managers, and policymakers seeking to provide equitable reproductive health care services. The aim of this narrative review was to aggregate these complex and overlapping barriers into a concise document that examines: (a) patient, provider, clinic, and policy factors associated with LARC access among populations at risk of unintended pregnancy and (b) the clinical implications of mitigating these barriers to provide equitable reproductive health care services. This review outlines numerous barriers to LARC uptake across multiple levels and demonstrates that LARC uptake is possible when the woman is informed of her contraceptive choices and when financial and clinical barriers are minimized. Equitable reproductive health care services entail unbiased counseling, a full range of contraceptive options, and patient autonomy in contraceptive choice.

Contraceptive Method Use Among a Population-Based Cohort During the South Carolina Choose Well Initiative

Importance

Evaluating the impact of statewide contraceptive access initiatives is necessary for informing health policy and practice.

Objective

To examine changes in contraceptive method use among a cohort of women of reproductive age in South Carolina during the Choose Well contraceptive access initiative.

Design, Setting, and Participants

In this cohort study, baseline data from the initial Statewide Survey of Women administered from October 1, 2017, to April 30, 2018, to a probability-based sample of women of reproductive age in South Carolina and a peer state (Alabama) were linked with 3 follow-up surveys given in 2019, 2020, and 2021. Responses about contraception use from the initial survey were compared with responses across follow-up surveys using the regression-based differences-in-differences method. Data analysis was performed from October 2023 to February 2024.

Exposure

The South Carolina Choose Well contraceptive access initiative seeks to fill contraceptive access gaps and increase provision of a full range of contraceptive methods through engagement with a wide range of health care organizations across the state.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Changes in contraceptive method use, including long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), intrauterine devices (IUDs), implants, short-acting hormonal injection, and barrier or other methods between the baseline survey (2017-2018) and 3 subsequent surveys (2019-2021).

Results

A total of 1344 female participants (mean [SD] age, 34 [7] years) completed the first survey (667 in Alabama and 677 in South Carolina). Use of LARC significantly increased in South Carolina (119 [17.6%] to 138 [21.1%]) compared with Alabama (120 [18.0%] to 116 [18.1%]; P = .004). Use of IUDs increased in South Carolina (95 [14.0%] to 114 [17.4%]) compared with Alabama (92 [13.8%] to 102 [15.9%]; P = .003). These associations persisted in the adjusted analysis, with a significant increase in the odds of LARC (adjusted odds ratio, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.06-1.44) and IUD (adjusted odds ratio, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.06-1.32) use at follow-up in South Carolina compared with Alabama.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study of 1344 participants, increases in the use of IUDs in South Carolina were noted after the implementation of the South Carolina Choose Well initiative that were not observed in a peer state with no intervention. Our findings may provide support in favor of statewide contraceptive access initiatives and their role in promoting access to reproductive health services.

Adolescent Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptive Use, Same-Day Insertions, and Pregnancies Following a Quality Initiative

OBJECTIVE

To compare long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) use, pregnancy rate, and same-day LARC insertion among adolescents before and after a Kaiser Permanente Northern California quality initiative.

METHODS

A 2016 Kaiser Permanente Northern California initiative aimed to increase adolescent LARC access. Interventions included patient education resources, electronic protocols, and insertion training for pediatric, family medicine, and gynecology providers. This study examined a retrospective cohort of adolescents aged 15-18 years who used contraception before (2014-2015, n = 30,094) and after (2017-2018, n = 28,710) implementation. Contraceptive types included LARC (intrauterine device or implant), injectable, and contraceptive pill, patch, or ring. We reviewed a random sample of LARC users (n = 726) to identify same-day insertions. Multivariable analysis examined the effects of year of provision, age, race, ethnicity, LARC type, and counseling clinic.

RESULTS

Preintervention, 12.1% of adolescents used LARC, 13.6% used injectable, and 74.3% used pill, patch, or ring. Postintervention, the proportions were 23.0%, 11.6%, and 65.4%, respectively, with the odds of LARC provision of 2.57 (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.44-2.72). The pregnancy rate decreased from 2.2% to 1.4% (p < .0001). Higher rates of pregnancy were observed with injectable contraception and in Black and Hispanic adolescents. Same-day LARC insertion rate was 25.1% without significant variation post intervention (OR 1.44, 95% confidence interval 0.93-2.23). Contraceptive counseling in gynecology clinics increased the odds of same-day provision, while non-Hispanic Black race lowered odds.

DISCUSSION

A multifaceted quality intervention was associated with a 90% increase in LARC use and a 36% decrease in teenage pregnancy rate. Future directions may include promoting same-day insertions, targeting interventions in pediatric clinics, and focusing on racial equity.

Mapping Long-acting Reversible Contraceptive Interventions to the Social Ecological Model: A Scoping Review

INTRODUCTION

Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) is one option for preventing unintended pregnancies and short interpregnancy intervals. Efforts to increase access to contraception may benefit from applying the social ecological model (SEM), a framework that considers individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, and policy influences on behavior. We aimed to summarize findings from interventions on LARC use and map interventions to SEM levels.

METHODS

We conducted a scoping review of the 2010-2020 literature in PubMed/MEDLINE and Embase databases to summarize interventions that did and did not increase LARC use. Although increasing LARC use is not an appropriate goal from a reproductive autonomy standpoint, it is the stated goal of much of the research conducted to date and typically indicates an improvement in access. We mapped these interventions to SEM levels and categorized their strategies: cost support, patient counseling, administrative support, provider training, and other.

RESULTS

Of 27 interventions reviewed, 17 (63%) increased LARC use. We observed a greater proportion of interventions that increased LARC uptake among those with strategies implemented at policy (8/10 [80%]) or organizational (14/19 [74%]) SEM levels compared with interventions implemented at other SEM levels. When both individual and organizational SEM-level components were implemented, five of six interventions (83%) increased uptake. All five interventions with both organizational- and policy-level components increased LARC use. Among the 27 interventions, patient counseling (n = 12) and cost support (n = 12) were common strategies. Five of 12 interventions (42%) involving patient counseling and 11 of 12 (92%) involving cost support increased LARC use.

CONCLUSIONS

Organizational and policy SEM components and cost support strategies were most prevalent in interventions that increased LARC use. Future interventions to improve access to contraception, while respecting patient autonomy, could incorporate more than one SEM level.

Single-visit insertion of long-acting reversible contraception in a single health system

OBJECTIVE

To identify patient and practice characteristics associated with single-visit placement of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) across the University of North Carolina Health system.

STUDY DESIGN

We conducted a retrospective observational study using existing electronic health records. We abstracted data from charts of individuals ages 15-50 years who received a LARC device between March 15, 2019, and March 14, 2021. Our primary outcome was whether a patient received LARC at one, or after multiple, outpatient visits. We used descriptive statistics to examine patient, clinician, and practice characteristics. We used bivariate analysis and generalized estimating equation to examine relationships between characteristics and single-visit LARC receipt.

RESULTS

Most of the 4599 individuals received care at obstetrics and gynecology clinics (3411/4599; 74%), and received their LARC device in a single visit (3163/4599; 69%). More intrauterine devices (3151) were placed than implants (1448). The adjusted odds of receiving a LARC in a single visit was highest for those who self-paid (aOR (adjusted odds ratio) 1.83, 1.19-2.82) and those who received an implant (aOR 1.25, 1.07-1.46). Patients seen by advanced practice practitioners (aOR 0.67, 0.56-0.80) or by an internal medicine specialty clinician (aOR 0.13, 0.00-0.35) had lower odds of receiving a single-visit LARC compared to those seen by a specialist obstetrician-gynecologist physician.

CONCLUSION

Most single-visit LARC placements were performed by clinicians in obstetrician-gynecologist specialty practices.

IMPLICATIONS

Among individuals seeking long-acting reversible contraceptives from clinics in a single health system in North Carolina, most received a device at a single visit and most single-visit insertions were done by an obstetrician-gynecologist.

Long-Acting Reversible Contraception for Adolescents: A Review of Practices to Support Better Communication, Counseling, and Adherence

Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) methods, including levonorgestrel and copper intrauterine devices (IUDs) and the subdermal contraceptive implant, are the most effective reversible forms of contraception and thus are an important aspect of adolescent pregnancy prevention. While LARC efficacy, safety, and appropriateness are supported by major medical organizations and usage rates are increasing, overall LARC uptake among United States (US) adolescents remains lower than uptake of short-acting contraceptive methods. A better understanding of the barriers affecting adolescent LARC uptake and reasons for discontinuation could help facilitate effective communication. For example, learning how to improve adolescent-centered communication, shared decision-making, and motivational counseling strategies may be the first step to improving utilization rates. This narrative review includes three sections. First, this review will describe the history, mechanisms of action, and epidemiology of adolescent LARC use in the US and globally. Next, this review will describe key factors influencing adolescent LARC uptake, reasons for discontinuation, and multilevel barriers specific to adolescent LARC use. Finally, this review will characterize communication techniques and LARC counseling strategies for adolescents in the context of a reproductive justice approach set in the health belief model framework. The distinction between moving away from a presumptive counseling approach towards an adolescent-centered, shared decision-making approach to encourage parent-adolescent sexual health communication to lay the foundation of empowering adolescent reproductive autonomy should be the underpinning of all effective reproductive communication strategies.

Same-day long-acting reversible contraceptive utilization after a statewide contraceptive access initiative

BACKGROUND

Same-day placement of long-acting reversible contraceptives, occurring when the device is requested and placed within a single visit, reduces barriers to the patient and reduces unintended pregnancies. Despite the safety and efficacy of same-day placement, access to same-day services remains low.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the Delaware Contraceptive Access Now initiative, a statewide initiative in Delaware focused on increasing same-day access to effective contraception on same-day receipt of long-acting reversible contraceptives.

STUDY DESIGN

We used Medicaid claims and encounter data to identify instances of same-day and multivisit receipts of long-acting reversible contraceptives among Medicaid-enrolled individuals in Delaware and Maryland aged 15-44 years who were covered in a full-benefits or family planning Medicaid aid category during the month of the placement and the 2 previous months. We used a difference-in-differences design that compared changes in the outcome from before to after implementation of the initiative among placements at agencies that participated in the initiative (n=6676) vs 2 alternative comparison groups: placements at Delaware agencies that did not participate (n=688) and placements in Maryland (n=35,847).

RESULTS

We found that the intervention was associated with a 13.3 percentage point increase (95% confidence interval, 1.9%-24.7%) in receipt of same-day long-acting reversible contraceptives using a nonparticipating Delaware comparison group, a 21.1 percentage point increase (95% confidence interval, 13.7%-28.6%) using a Maryland comparison group, and a 21.0 percentage point increase (95% confidence interval, 14.1%-27.9%) using a pooled comparison group. The effects were larger for implants than intrauterine devices.

CONCLUSION

The Delaware Contraceptive Access Now initiative substantially increased the number of patients receiving long-acting reversible contraceptives through a single-visit encounter. Our findings suggested that coordinated interventions involving provider and staff training and capital investments that seed device stocking can increase the number of patients receiving same-day long-acting reversible contraceptives.

Intrauterine device self-removal practices during the COVID-19 pandemic among family planning clinics

OBJECTIVES

To explore the prevalence of intrauterine device self-removal practices before and during the COVID-19 pandemic among family planning clinics.

STUDY DESIGN

This is a secondary analysis of data from a descriptive, longitudinal study using a clinic-based convenience sample from the Abortion Clinical Research Network assessing baseline and pandemic-adaptive family planning practices.

RESULTS

Of the 63 sites that provided contraception, 5 (7.9%) reported providing guidance on intrauterine device self-removal at baseline. Sixteen sites (25.4%) provided guidance on self-removal by the end of the study period. Self-removal counseling was associated with being an academic center and reporting a median lower number of monthly contraceptive encounters.

CONCLUSIONS

Endorsement of IUD self-removal increased to one-quarter of sites by the final timepoint.

IMPLICATIONS

Twenty-five percent of family planning clinics reported provision of intrauterine device self-removal guidance by eight months into the COVID-19 pandemic, a three-fold increase from baseline; these findings suggest clinician support for patient autonomy in contraceptive self-management and limited concern for safety issues with self-removal during a public health emergency.

The effect of contraceptive access reform on privately insured patients: Evidence from Delaware Contraceptive Access Now

BACKGROUND

Many states are implementing comprehensive programs aimed at reducing persistent barriers to contraceptive care. Evidence on the effectiveness of these programs is essential for practice improvement and policy development.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate changes in the probability of initiating a contraceptive method by women with employer sponsored insurance after implementation of Delaware Contraceptive Access Now (DelCAN), a statewide initiative that aimed to increase access to long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs).

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

We used a difference-in-differences design to examine contraceptive initiation rates. Data came from IBM Marketscan and covered women age 15-44 enrolled in employer sponsored insurance. The primary outcome was insertion of a LARC, both in the overall study population and in the immediate postpartum (IPP) setting. Secondary analysis examined changes to other contraceptive method types.

RESULTS

The cohort of 4,550,459 enrollees generated a sample of 11,888,837 person-years and 615,670 childbirth hospitalizations. Difference-in-differences estimates suggested that DelCAN was associated with a 0.3 percentage point (95% CI [0.2, 0.5], p<0.001) increase in the LARC insertion rate in the overall study population and a 0.4 percentage point increase (95% CI [0.2, 0.6], p<0.001) in the percent of births adopting IPP LARC. Associations between DelCAN and LARC insertion appeared stronger for adolescents compared to older women. Results for other method types were less consistent.

CONCLUSIONS

A comprehensive statewide program was associated with increased LARC insertion rates among enrollees with employer sponsored insurance. Understanding the effect of these programs is critical for on-going policy development for states engaged in contraceptive access reform.

Society of Family Planning Clinical Recommendation: Emergency contraception

Emergency contraception (EC) refers to several contraceptive options that can be used within a few days after unprotected or under protected intercourse or sexual assault to reduce the risk of pregnancy. Current EC options available in the United States include the copper intrauterine device (IUD), levonorgestrel (LNG) 52 mg IUD, oral LNG (such as Plan B One-Step, My Way, Take Action), and oral ulipristal acetate (UPA) (ella). These clinical recommendations review the indications, effectiveness, safety, and side effects of emergency contraceptive methods; considerations for the use of EC by specific patient populations and in specific clinical circumstances and current barriers to emergency contraceptive access. Further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of LNG IUDs for emergency contraceptive use; address the effects of repeated use of UPA at different times in the same menstrual cycle; assess the impact on ovulation of initiating or reinitiating different regimens of regular hormonal contraception following UPA use; and elucidate effective emergency contraceptive pill options by body mass indices or weight.

Single-visit long-acting reversible contraception provision and pregnancy rates within 3 months

OBJECTIVES

To assess the occurrence of pregnancy in a cohort of women who received a copper intrauterine device (IUD), hormonal IUDs or an etonogestrel (ENG) contraceptive implant at a single-visit practice.

METHODS

Prospective study conducted at the University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. We obtained data from four ongoing studies including both the date of the device placement, the first day of the last menstrual period, and the occurrence of pregnancy up to 3 months after device placement.

RESULTS

We included 2479 device placements (413 TCu380A IUDs, 1476 hormonal IUD and 590 ENG implants). Almost half of the device placements (1113/2479; 44.9%) were performed within the first 5 days of the menstrual cycle. We observed three pregnancies: one in an ENG implant user who received the implant within days 1-5 of the menstrual cycle; one in a woman who received a hormonal IUD during days 6-10 of the menstrual cycle; and one in a copper IUD user with placement during days 21-25 of menstrual cycle.

CONCLUSIONS

Single-visit long-acting reversible contraception placements are a good strategy with overall very low pregnancy rates. This strategy has a potential to reduce unintended pregnancies and to reduce costs and barriers to both women and the healthcare system.

Review of Publicly Available State Policies for Long-Acting Reversible Contraception Device Reimbursement

Background: Provider challenges to accessing long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) include level of reimbursement for LARC device acquisition and cost to stock. State-level LARC device reimbursement policies that cover a greater proportion of the cost of the LARC device and enable providers to purchase LARC upfront may improve contraceptive access. Materials and Methods: To summarize state-level policies that include language on LARC device reimbursement in the outpatient setting, we conducted a systematic, web-based review among all 50 states of publicly available LARC device reimbursement policies that include coverage of LARC devices as a medical or pharmacy benefit, the use of the 340B Drug Pricing Program to purchase LARC devices, and separate payment for LARC devices outside of the Medicaid Prospective Payment System (PPS) payment rate for Federally Qualified Health Centers or Rural Health Clinics. Results: Forty-two percent (21/50) of states with publicly available state-level policies included language on LARC device reimbursement. Among the states, 24% (5/21) had coverage policies as a medical benefit, 33% (7/21) as a pharmacy benefit, and 19% (4/21) as both a medical benefit and pharmacy benefit; 38% (8/21) used the 340B Program to purchase LARC devices; and 62% (13/21) indicated separate payment for LARC devices outside of the Medicaid PPS payment rate. Conclusion: State-level policies for LARC device reimbursement vary, highlighting differences in reimbursement strategies across the U.S. Future research could explore how the implementation of these payment methods may impact LARC device reimbursement and whether increased reimbursement may improve access to the full range of contraceptive methods.

Access to Contraceptive Services in Puerto Rico: An Analysis of Policy and Practice Change Strategies, 2015-2018

CONTEXT

During the 2016-2017 Zika virus outbreak in Puerto Rico, preventing unintended pregnancy was a primary strategy to reduce Zika-related adverse birth outcomes. The Zika Contraception Access Network (Z-CAN) was a short-term emergency response intervention that used contraception to prevent unintended pregnancy among women who chose to delay or avoid pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE

This analysis reports on the identified policy and practice change strategies to increase access to or provision of contraceptive services in Puerto Rico between 2015 and 2018.

METHODS

A policy review was conducted to document federal- and territorial-level programs with contraceptive coverage and payment policies in Puerto Rico and to identify policy and practice change. Semistructured interviews with key stakeholders in Puerto Rico were also conducted to understand perceptions of policy and practice change efforts following the Zika virus outbreak, including emergency response, local, and policy efforts to improve contraception access in Puerto Rico.

RESULTS

Publicly available information on federal and territorial programs with policies that facilitate access, delivery, and utilization of contraceptive coverage and family planning services in Puerto Rico to support contraceptive access was documented; however, interview results indicated that the implementation of the policies was often limited by barriers and that policy and practice changes as the result of the Zika virus outbreak were short-term.

CONCLUSION

Consideration of long-term policy and practice changes related to contraceptive access is warranted. Similar analyses can be used to identify policies, practices, and perceptions in other settings in which the goal is to increase access to contraception or reduce unintended pregnancy.

Contraceptive Access at Federally Qualified Health Centers During the South Carolina Choose Well Initiative: A Qualitative Analysis of Staff Perceptions and Experiences

Introduction: Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) provide essential contraceptive services to low-income individuals; yet, access to all method options, notably intrauterine devices (IUDs) and implants, may be limited at non-Title X FQHCs. The South Carolina (SC) Choose Well initiative is a statewide contraceptive access initiative that was launched in 2017 and extends into 2022. Choose Well established a collaborative network between training and clinical partners and is aimed at facilitating implementation of contraceptive care best practices through capacity-building and training of clinical and administrative staff in partner organizations. The initiative provided funding for workforce expansion and contraceptive methods. We examined perceptions of staff from Choose Well-participating FQHCs regarding contraceptive access during the first 2 years of the initiative, including factors that facilitated or posed access challenges as well as sustaining factors. This study informs the process evaluation of Choose Well while providing data critical for uncovering and scaling up contraceptive access initiatives.

Materials and Methods: Interviews were conducted with FQHC staff (n = 34) in 2018 and 2019 to assess Choose Well implementation and were recorded, transcribed, and double-coded via at least 80% interrater reliability or consensus coding. Data were analyzed according to clinical and administrative factors influencing contraceptive access.

Results: Increased capacity for contraceptive counseling and provision through training and external funding for IUDs and implants were the most noted clinical factors facilitating access. Streamlining workflow processes was also a facilitator. Buy-in and engagement among staff and leadership emerged as a facilitator at some clinics and as a barrier at others. Policy/structural factors related to costs of devices and insurance coverage were identified as threats to sustainability.

Conclusions: The Choose Well initiative contributed to the perception of an increase in contraceptive access at participating FQHCs in SC. Statewide contraceptive access initiatives have the potential to support FQHCs in meeting their clients' contraceptive needs. Organizational buy-in, sustainability of funding, and training are key to realizing the full potential of these initiatives.

"Did I Choose a Birth Control Method Yet?": Health Care and Women's Contraceptive Decision-Making

In the United States, unintended pregnancy is medicalized, having been labeled a health problem and "treated" with contraception. Scholars find women's access to contraception is simultaneously facilitated and constrained by health care system actors and its structure. Yet, beyond naming these barriers, less research centers women's experiences making contraceptive decisions as they encounter such barriers. Through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 86 diverse, self-identified women, this study explores how the medicalization of unintended pregnancy has influenced women's contraceptive access and decision-making. We highlight the breadth of such influence across multiple contraceptive types and health care contexts; namely, we find the two most salient forces shaping women's contraceptive decisions to be their insurance coverage and providers' contraceptive counseling. Within these two categories, we offer crucial nuance to demonstrate how these oft-cited barriers implicitly and explicitly influence women's decisions. Paradoxically, it is the health care system, itself, that both offers yet constrains women's contraceptive decisions.

Increasing access to single-visit contraception in urban health care settings: Findings from a multi-site learning collaborative

OBJECTIVE(S)

Multiple barriers limit access to the full range of contraceptive options. The purpose of this quality improvement initiative was to increase single-visit access to the full range of contraceptive methods in primary care, post-abortion, and immediate postpartum settings in New York City (NYC).

STUDY DESIGN

From 2015-2018 we convened two learning collaboratives, named the Quality Improvement Network for Contraceptive Access, with 17 teams (representing 40 sites) from New York City-based hospitals and health centers using an adaptation of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's Breakthrough Series Learning Collaborative model. Participating teams sought to implement evidence-informed recommendations to increase access. The goal was to increase the patient-centeredness of services by reducing barriers. In the absence of a way to directly measure access, we measured progress toward implementation of the four recommendations and contraceptive care utilization measures as proxies for access, and asked teams to describe facilitating factors.

RESULTS

Learning collaborative teams successfully implemented all four of the recommendations in 95% of the participating sites. Patients who chose and received a most or moderately effective method increased from 22% to 38% in primary care, and from 0% to 17% in the immediate postpartum period. Patients who chose and received a long-acting-reversible contraceptive increased from 5% to 11% in primary care, and from 0% to 3% in immediate postpartum. Facilitating factors included the involvement of interdisciplinary teams, consideration of costs, utilization of peers to demonstrate change, and champions to drive change.

CONCLUSION(S)

The application of evidence-informed recommendations using a structured quality improvement initiative increases contraceptive access.

IMPLICATIONS

This paper identifies key facilitators and factors that influenced the successful implementation of evidence-based recommendations for access to the full range of contraceptive methods in primary care, post-abortion, and immediate postpartum settings. Findings can inform future initiatives that seek to increase contraceptive access at the service delivery level, as a component of reproductive autonomy, and contraceptive equity.

The limitations of patient-centered care: The case of early long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) removal

Patient-centered care (PCC) is frequently recommended to improve healthcare outcomes in the United States. Despite its purported benefits, little research explores how and to what extent providers implement this model in their care. We examine such processes through the case of contraception, specifically, "early" removals of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC). In-depth interviews with 51 healthcare providers reveal that while providers describe embracing patient-centeredness when considering patients' early LARC removal requests, their implementation ironically sidelines patient preferences and needs. Rather than be responsive to patients' requests, all providers in the study resist early LARC removal by: withholding information about self-removal of intrauterine devices (IUDs); negotiating with patients to keep their device longer; setting subjective timelines to prolong LARC use; and/or engaging in delay tactics to wear down patients' resolve for removal. Furthermore, beyond simply resisting LARC removal requests using these strategies, providers purposively employ tenets of PCC to sway patients away from removal. In other words, providers utilize PCC as a means to undermine it. Understanding how providers implement patient-centered care reveals the challenges to doing so, even in cases like early LARC removal where providers indicate patient-centeredness is a priority. It also elucidates the need for enhanced training, specificity, and institutionalization around patient-centered models of care; informs interventions that promote LARC use among patients; as well as offers opportunities for improving patient-provider exchanges generally.

Evaluation of the Delaware Contraceptive Access Now (DelCAN) initiative: A qualitative analysis of site leaders' implementation recommendations

OBJECTIVES

In 2014, Delaware launched a statewide initiative to reduce the rate of unintended pregnancies and increase access to contraception services. Our study objective was to understand the implementation experiences, barriers, and successes across health care practice settings and to provide recommendations for future, similar initiatives.

STUDY DESIGN

As part of a larger multicomponent process evaluation, we conducted semistructured interviews with 32 leaders from 26 practice settings implementing the initiative across the state. We analyzed the qualitative data through iterative open, axial, and selective coding using grounded theory methods, employing thematic analysis to identify common themes in implementation experiences.

RESULTS

Most practices perceived that patient demand for methods of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) increased. Many practices had to adapt the intervention to fit the needs and constraints of their settings and patient populations. Primary care practices, smaller practices, and practices that served large numbers of adolescents experienced more barriers compared to obstetrics and gynecology or women's health practices. For current and future iterations of the initiative, leaders emphasized: (1) the need for greater implementation flexibility, (2) the importance of inclusive communication at multiple levels, and (3) attending to logistical challenges, particularly around billing.

CONCLUSION

Varied practice settings required significant flexibility and responsiveness to context in order to implement the initiative. Organizations with greater pre-existing capacity were able to offer the full range of contraceptive care, as the initiative intended, in contrast to practices with less pre-existing capacity for providing methods of LARC and other types of contraception.

IMPLICATIONS

To meet the specific but heterogenous needs of various practices, it is crucial for future contraceptive access initiatives to conduct a comprehensive pre-implementation assessment. Preceding any training, this assessment should gather input from participants across all roles in a medical practice (e.g., providers, medical assistants, office staff, billing department).

Outcomes of a two-visit protocol for long acting reversible contraception for adolescents and young adults

PURPOSE

To examine outcomes of a 2-visit protocol for placement of intrauterine or subdermal contraception.

METHODS

We identified all women ages 15 to 27 who received an order for an intrauterine or subdermal contraceptive between January 2014-December 2016. We examined time from order to contraceptive placement and reasons for incomplete orders.

RESULTS

We identified 1,192 unique patients who received 1,323 orders for intrauterine or subdermal contraceptives; 68% were completed at a second visit. The median time from order to placement was 22 days (interquartile range = 15-35). Of incomplete orders, 41% were related to logistics of a subsequent visit. Twenty-eight percent of patients had a subsequent pregnancy within the study period.

CONCLUSIONS

Efforts to provide same-day access for all contraceptive methods are needed.

Long-Acting Reversible Contraception: Placement, Continuation, and Removal Rates at an Inner-City Academic Medical Center Clinic

Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARCs) has the potential to decrease unintended pregnancies but only if women can easily access a requested method. Retrospective electronic chart review identified women desiring LARC placement over a one-year period ending 31 December 2016. Most of the 311 insertions were for family planning, with 220 new insertions and 60 replacements. Delays occurred in 38% (n = 118) of patients, averaged 5 ± 5 weeks, and 47% received interval contraception. Reasons included absence of qualified provider (n = 44, 37%), pending cultures (n = 31, 26%), and Mirena availability. Teenage LARC use favored Nexplanon whereas older women preferred Mirena (p < 0.01). Of the 11% choosing early LARC removal, a significant number were African Americans (p = 0.040) or teenagers (p = 0.048). Retention time varied by device type; most patients switched to other contraceptives. No patients experienced IUD expulsion. Understanding barriers, attempting to remedy them, and addressing the side effects associated with LARC use is of importance in this inner-city patient population in the United States.

Clinical availability of the copper IUD in rural versus urban settings: A simulated patient study

Objective

To assess the proportion of Washington state clinics that offer the copper IUD in rural vs urban settings.

Study design

We employed a simulated patient model to survey clinics in the Human Health Resources and Services Administration 340B database to primarily assess the availability of the copper IUD.

Results

We successfully surveyed 194/212 (92%) clinics. More urban than rural clinics reported copper IUD availability (76/97 [78%] vs 49/97 [51%]; p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Rural clinics are less likely than urban clinics to have the copper IUD available.

Implications

The frequency of unintended pregnancies is high in the United States. We should focus our attention on decreasing barriers to the copper IUD as a long-acting reversible contraceptive, particularly for women living in rural settings.

Improving Capacity at School-based Health Centers to Offer Adolescents Counseling and Access to Comprehensive Contraceptive Services

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Many pediatric providers serving adolescents are not trained to offer comprehensive contraceptive services, including intrauterine devices (IUDs) and implants, despite high safety and satisfaction among adolescents. This study assessed an initiative to train providers at school-based health centers (SBHCs) to offer students the full range of contraceptive methods.

DESIGN

Surveys were administered at baseline pre-training and at follow-up 3 months post-training. Data were analyzed using generalized estimating equations for clustered data to examine clinical practice changes.

SETTING

Eleven contraceptive trainings at SBHCs across the United States from 2016-2019.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 260 providers from 158 SBHCs serving 135,800 students.

INTERVENTIONS

On-site training to strengthen patient-centered counseling and to equip practitioners to integrate IUDs and implants into contraceptive services.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The outcomes included counseling experience on IUDs and implants, knowledge of patient eligibility, and clinician method skills.

RESULTS

At follow-up, providers were significantly more likely to report having enough experience to counsel on IUDs (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 4.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.62-6.36]) and implants (aOR, 3.06; 95% CI, 2.05-4.57). Provider knowledge about patient eligibility for IUDs, including for adolescents, increased (P < .001). Providers were more likely to offer same-visit IUD (aOR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.41-3.12) and implant services (aOR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.44-1.91). Clinicians' skills with contraceptive devices improved, including for a newly available low-cost IUD (aOR, 2.21; 95% CI, 1.45-3.36).

CONCLUSIONS

Offering evidence-based training is a promising approach to increase counseling and access to comprehensive contraceptive services at SBHCs.

Adherence to Recommended Practices for Provision of Long-Acting Reversible Contraception Among Providers in a Large U.S. Health Care System

Background: There is little research examining adherence to practice guidelines for long-acting reversible contraception (LARC). We assessed same-day LARC provision and adherence to other guideline-recommended practices among providers in a large academic health care system. Materials and Methods: We surveyed 363 providers who had billed using LARC-related codes within the prior 12 months. Primary outcomes were, for women requesting an intrauterine device (IUD) or implant, the typical number of visits for method provision and ability to add an insertion procedure to an annual examination. We used chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression to identify characteristics associated with primary outcomes and described other practices and barriers to same-day LARC. Results: Our response rate was 42% (153/363). A typical single visit for women requesting an IUD or implant was reported by 37% of IUD providers and 51% of implant providers, respectively, and was associated with obstetrician-gynecologist specialty versus family medicine (IUD: 44% vs. 12%, p = 0.001; implant: 57% vs. 26%, p = 0.002) and practicing in the county of the main academic medical center versus any other county (IUD: 48% vs. 20%, p = 0.001; implant: 65% vs. 27%, p < 0.001). High ability to add LARC insertion to an annual examination was reported by 48% of IUD providers and 51% of implant providers, with similar associations of specialty and county. Barriers to same-day LARC included scheduling constraints, insurance and billing concerns, and device stocking. Nearly all respondents provide LARC to nulliparous women and adolescents. Among IUD providers, 73% schedule routine follow-up after insertion. Conclusions: Same-day LARC provision is low among providers in a large academic health care system. Provider-identified barriers suggest interventions to improve LARC access, including incentivizing device stocking and billing and insurance education.

Building reproductive justice into the safety net

The University of Florida Mobile Outreach Clinic (MOC) is a free primary care clinic serving vulnerable communities and citizens without health insurance in Gainesville, Florida, and surrounding areas. This paper describes the approach taken by MOC to offer sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services to underserved patients within a reproductive justice framework.

[Preventive activities in women's care]

A review is presented of the scientific evidence on preventive activities in women's care in relation to pregnancy follow-up, preventive activities in the planning and follow-up of contraceptive methods, preventive activities in menopause, and the prevention of osteoporotic fractures.

Insights in Public Health: Insurance Coverage for Long-Acting Reversible Contraception Placed in Office: A Buy and Bill Demonstration Project in Hawai'i

Access to the full range of contraceptive options for all people is critical in allowing individuals to make decisions that are consistent with their reproductive goals and values, which, in turn, enables them to achieve educational, social, and economic goals. In 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act mandated that health plans must cover contraceptive supplies and services, including drugs and devices approved by the US Food and Drug Administration without any out-of-pocket costs to patients. This federal mandate was similar to a law passed by the Hawai'i state legislature in 1999. Despite the Affordable Care Act, access barriers continue to prevent people from obtaining their preferred methods upon request. Same day access to long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) devices is a particular challenge in many clinical settings due to the high upfront cost of the device for providers. This Insights article describes the context of this issue in Hawai'i and information about a pilot test of a "buy and bill" program for LARC devices in an outpatient obstetrics and gynecology practice in Honolulu, Hawai'i. Ultimately, the majority of LARC devices were paid for fully by insurance, resulting in increased access to same day insertion with limited financial risk for the clinic.

Desire for and barriers to obtaining effective contraception among women experiencing homelessness

Background

Homelessness is a significant and growing problem in the United States. Women experiencing homelessness face unique challenges as they have high rates of unintended pregnancy. They often face significant barriers to obtaining effective contraception. This study aimed to explore the contraceptive preferences, desire for, and barriers to obtaining effective contraception among women experiencing homelessness.

Study design

In this cross-sectional study, 54 women experiencing homelessness in Chicago who were at risk for unintended pregnancy were surveyed.

Results

While 94% of the women experiencing homelessness surveyed desired avoiding pregnancy, most were using the least effective contraceptive methods. Among participants, 80% had health insurance, 75% had a high school diploma, and 90% knew where to obtain birth control. Despite these factors, participants faced barriers to obtaining contraception. One significant barrier was lack of comprehensive contraceptive counseling as 62% report a physician had never counseled them on LARC methods. Approximately half of participants desired or would consider using a LARC in the future.

Conclusions

Women experiencing homelessness in our study demonstrate significant unmet needs for effective contraception. Women experiencing homelessness would benefit from comprehensive contraceptive counseling and improved access to effective forms of contraception.

Physician and clinic staff attitudes and practices during implementation of the Zika Contraception Access Network

OBJECTIVE

The Zika Contraception Access Network (Z-CAN) provided women in Puerto Rico access to contraceptive counseling and the full range of reversible contraceptive methods, on the same day and at no cost, during the Zika virus outbreak. Because trained physicians and clinic staff were crucial to the program, we aimed to assess the implementation of and satisfaction with Z-CAN from their perspectives.

STUDY DESIGN

Physicians and clinic staff in the Z-CAN program participated in an online survey on program implementation (e.g., on-site and same-day contraceptive provision), program satisfaction, and knowledge consistent with program training (e.g., contraceptive initiation and safety, client-centered contraceptive counseling, intrauterine device [IUD] and implant insertion and removal).

RESULTS

Survey respondents included 63 physicians and 53 clinic staff members. A high proportion of physicians (>93%) reported providing IUDs, implants, pills, rings, condoms, and injections and most were very often or always able to provide same-day access to most methods. Over 90% of physicians were satisfied with the Z-CAN program, training, and ongoing support. Staff satisfaction with these program elements was similar but slightly lower. Knowledge about exams and tests needed for initiation and safety of methods varied but was generally consistent with guidelines on which physicians received training. Most physicians (>90%) reported confidence in skills on which they received training as part of the program.

CONCLUSIONS

From the perspectives of participating physicians and clinic staff, the program was generally implemented as intended and providers were largely satisfied with program strategies including training and on-going support.

IMPLICATIONS

Certain key components of the Z-CAN program, such as training, proctoring, and involvement of clinic staff were likely critical to Z-CAN's implementation and provider satisfaction. Results from this provider survey can inform implementation of similar efforts to increase access to contraception in both emergency and non-emergency settings.

Changes to Contraceptive Method Use at Title X Clinics Following Delaware Contraceptive Access Now, 2008-2017

Objectives. To measure changes in the contraceptive methods used by Title X clients after implementation of Delaware Contraceptive Access Now, a public-private initiative that aims to increase access to contraceptives, particularly long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs).Methods. Using administrative data from the 2008-2017 Family Planning Annual Reports and a difference-in-differences design, we compared changes in contraceptive method use among adult female Title X family planning clients in Delaware with changes in a set of comparison states. We considered permanent methods, LARCs, moderately effective methods, less effective methods, and no method use.Results. Results suggest a 3.2-percentage-point increase in LARC use relative to changes in other states (a 40% increase from baseline). We were unable to make definitive conclusions about other contraceptive method types.Conclusions. Delaware Contraceptive Access Now increased LARC use among Title X clients. Our results have implications for states considering comprehensive family planning initiatives.

Comparison of pregnancy incidence among African women in a randomized trial of intramuscular depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-IM), a copper intrauterine device (IUDs) or a levonorgestrel (LNG) implant for contraception

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to address bias in contraception efficacy studies through a randomized study trial of intramuscular depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-IM), a copper intrauterine device (IUDs) and a levonorgestrel (LNG) implant.

STUDY DESIGN

We analyzed data from the Evidence for Contraceptive Options and HIV Outcomes Trial, which assessed HIV incidence among 7829 women from 12 sites in eSwatini, Kenya, South Africa and Zambia seeking effective contraception and who consented to be randomized to DMPA-IM, copper IUD or LNG implant. We used Cox proportional hazards regression adjusted for condom use to compare pregnancy incidence during both perfect and typical (i.e., allowing temporary interruptions) use.

RESULTS

A total of 7710 women contributed to this analysis. Seventy pregnancies occurred during perfect and 85 during typical use. There was no statistically significant difference in perfect use pregnancy incidence among the methods: 0.61 per 100 woman-years for DMPA-IM [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.36-0.96], 1.06 for copper IUD (95% CI 0.72-1.50) and 0.63 for LNG implants (95% CI 0.39-0.96). Typical use pregnancy rates were also largely similar: 0.87 per 100 woman-years for DMPA-IM (95% CI 0.58-1.25), 1.11 for copper IUD (95% CI 0.77-1.54) and 0.63 for LNG implants (95% CI 0.39-0.96).

CONCLUSIONS

In this randomized trial of highly effective contraceptive methods among African women, both perfect and typical use resulted in low pregnancy rates. Our findings provide strong justification for improving access to a broader range of longer-acting contraceptive options including LNG implants and copper IUD for African women.

IMPLICATIONS STATEMENT

Data from this study support recommendations to providers, policy makers and patients that all of these methods provide safe and highly effective contraception for African women.

Experience with same-day placement of the 52 mg levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system

BACKGROUND

Prescribing information for the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system allows placement when the clinician is reasonably certain the patient is not pregnant. A 6 item checklist aids clinicians in determining pregnancy risk but may be too restrictive, resulting in delaying placement for many women. Same-day placement, however, may risk placement during an unrecognized luteal-phase pregnancy, that is, a preimplantation fertilized ovum not yet detectable by urine pregnancy test.

OBJECTIVE

We assessed the applicability of pregnancy checklist criteria in 2 gynecology practices that routinely provide same-day placements following a negative urine pregnancy test.

STUDY DESIGN

In this retrospective cohort study, we reviewed electronic medical records of all women who underwent levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system placement from July 2009 to August 2012. We evaluated each record to identify whether the woman met any of the checklist criteria to exclude pregnancy. We ascertained luteal-phase pregnancies and other outcomes within 12 months following placement.

RESULTS

Of 885 placements, 293 (33%) were immediately after abortion. Of the remaining 592 placements, 353 (60%) met at least 1 pregnancy checklist criterion to rule out pregnancy but 239 (40%) met none. Two percent received levonorgestrel emergency contraception at the time of placement. One luteal-phase pregnancy occurred in the group not meeting pregnancy checklist criteria. Removals and expulsions were rare and similar whether or not patients met checklist criteria.

CONCLUSION

In 2 practices that provide same-day intrauterine system placements, strict adherence to pregnancy checklist criteria would have resulted in 239 patients (40%) not receiving a same-day intrauterine system. Twelve month outcomes were similar whether or not patients met pregnancy checklist criteria. Providers need not withhold intrauterine system placement based on the pregnancy checklist criteria.

Knowledge about the intrauterine device and interest in using it among women users of primary care services

OBJECTIVE

to analyze the level of knowledge about the intrauterine device, the interest in using it and the relationship between these events among women in reproductive age.

METHOD

cross-sectional study conducted with 1858 women between 18 and 49 years old, attending Primary Health Care Facilities. Data were obtained in face-to-face interviews. The level of knowledge was evaluated by items with answers options "agree", "disagree" and "I don't know". Knowledge was categorized as below/equal and above the median. Chi-square and multiple logistic regression were used in Stata 14.2 (95% confidence level).

RESULTS

intrauterine device current use was not frequent (1.7%; n=32) and the level of knowledge was higher among women between 25 and 34 years old, white, living in Aracaju (Sergipe), who were more educated, and who were currently using or had already used the intrauterine device. Interest in using the intrauterine device (38.0%; n=634) was higher among younger women, single, more educated, had health insurance, no children and with higher level of knowledge about the intrauterine device.

CONCLUSION

the level of knowledge about the intrauterine device was associated with the interest in using it.

Exploring young women's reasons for adopting intrauterine or oral emergency contraception in the United States: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

The recent focus on increasing access to long-acting reversible contraceptive methods has often overlooked the diverse reasons why women may choose less effective methods even when significant access barriers have been removed. While the copper intrauterine device (IUD) is considered an acceptable alternative to emergency contraception pills (ECPs), it is unclear to what extent low rates of provision and use are due to patient preferences versus structural access barriers. This study explores factors that influence patients' choice between ECPs and the copper IUD as EC, including prior experiences with contraception and attitudes toward EC methods, in settings where both options are available at no cost.

METHODS

We telephone-interviewed 17 patients seeking EC from three San Francisco Bay Area youth-serving clinics that offered the IUD as EC and ECPs as standard practice, regarding their experiences choosing an EC method. We thematically coded all interview transcripts, then summarized the themes related to reasons for choosing ECPs or the IUD as EC.

RESULTS

Ten participants left their EC visit with ECPs and seven with the IUD as EC option. Women chose ECPs because they were familiar and easily accessible. Reasons for not adopting the copper IUD included having had prior negative experiences with the IUD, concerns about its side effects and the placement procedure, and lack of awareness about the copper IUD. Women who chose the IUD as EC did so primarily because of its long-term efficacy, invisibility, lack of hormones, longer window of post-coital utility, and a desire to not rely on ECPs. Women who chose the IUD as EC had not had prior negative experiences with the IUD, had already been interested in the IUD, and were ready and able to have it placed that day.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights that women have varied and well-considered reasons for choosing each EC method. Both ECPs and the copper IUD are important and acceptable EC options, each with their own features offering benefits to patients. Efforts to destigmatize repeated use of ECPs and validate women's choice of either EC method are needed to support women in their EC method decision-making.

Cost Minimization Analysis of Same-Day Long-Acting Reversible Contraception for Adolescents

IMPORTANCE

Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) is considered first-line contraception for adolescents but often requires multiple clinic visits to obtain.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze Indiana Medicaid's cost savings associated with providing adolescents with same-day access to LARC.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

An economic evaluation of cost minimization from the payer's (Medicaid) perspective was performed from August 2017 through August 2018. The cost model examined the anticipated outcome of providing LARC at the first visit compared with requiring a second visit for placement. The costs and probabilities of clinic visits, devices, device insertions and removals, unintended pregnancy, and births, according to previously published sources, were incorporated into the model. The participants were payers (Medicaid).

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The outcomes were the cost of same-day LARC placement vs LARC placement at a subsequent visit in US dollars, and rates of unintended pregnancy and abortion. One-way sensitivity analysis was done.

RESULTS

Same-day LARC placement was associated with lower overall costs ($2016 per patient over 1 year) compared with LARC placement at a subsequent visit ($4133 per patient over 1 year). Compared with the return-visit strategy, same-day LARC was associated with an unintended pregnancy rate of 14% vs 48% and an abortion rate of 4% vs 14%.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Providing same-day LARC could save costs for Medicaid, largely by preventing unintended pregnancy. Expected cost savings could be used to implement policies that make this strategy feasible in all clinical settings.

Barriers and Solutions to Improve Adolescent Intrauterine Device Access

Professional organizations agree that adolescents are good candidates for intrauterine device (IUD) use. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists affirm that IUDs should be considered first-line as contraceptive methods for adolescents. Although the number of teens using IUDs is growing, multiple barriers remain, including systems, and patient- and provider-level obstacles. Only through concerted efforts and a committed action plan will adolescents achieve better access to IUDs.

Long-acting reversible contraceptive utilization after policy change increasing device reimbursement to wholesale acquisition cost in Louisiana

BACKGROUND

Unintended pregnancies, occurring in nearly 1 out of every 2 (45%) pregnancies in the United States, are associated with adverse health and social outcomes for the infant and the mother. The risk of unintended pregnancies is significantly reduced when women use long-acting reversible contraceptives, namely intrauterine devices and implants. Inadequate reimbursement for long-acting reversible contraceptive devices may be an access barrier to long-acting reversible contraceptive uptake. In 2014, the Louisiana Department of Health Bureau of Health Services Financing implemented a policy change that increased the Medicaid reimbursement rates for acquiring long-acting reversible contraceptive devices to the wholesale acquisition cost.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association of a Medicaid policy change that increased the long-acting reversible contraceptive device reimbursement rate to the wholesale acquisition cost (ie, price set by the manufacturers) on long-acting reversible contraceptive uptake among women at risk for unintended pregnancy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective, repeated cross-sectional study used 2013-2015 Louisiana Medicaid claims data and contraceptive provision measures to assess associations between patient (age, race, urban/rural residence, postpartum status) and provider (urban/rural location, specialty) characteristics and long-acting reversible contraceptive uptake among contraceptive users (N = 193,623) using bivariate and logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

After long-acting reversible contraceptive reimbursement increased, there was a 2-fold likelihood increase in use in 2015 vs 2013 (odds ratio, 2.08; 95% confidence interval, 1.69-2.55). Long-acting reversible contraceptive uptake was more likely across all patient and provider subgroups in 2015 vs 2013 but notably among patients receiving contraceptive care from family planning clinics (odds ratio, 3.93; 95% confidence interval, 2.34-6.62).

CONCLUSION

Removal of a provider-level financial barrier to long-acting reversible contraceptive provision was associated with increased long-acting reversible contraceptive uptake among women at risk for unintended pregnancy. Efforts to improve long-acting reversible contraceptive access should focus on equitable healthcare reimbursement for healthcare providers of reproductive-aged women.

A comparative analysis of documented contraceptive use among women aged 18-30 living with and without HIV in Alabama

OBJECTIVES

To compare contraception use in 18-30-year-old women living with and without HIV. We also explored factors associated with contraceptive use.

STUDY DESIGN

We reviewed outpatient medical records for women living with HIV aged 18-30 years seen in one of two university-affiliated HIV-subspecialty clinics in Birmingham, Alabama, between July 2015 and June 2016. We selected an age-matched sample of women living without HIV seen in one of two university-affiliated non-HIV primary care clinics as the comparator group and focused our analysis on women with a documented discussion of contraception in clinic. For women with more than one clinic visit during the 1-year study period, the most recent visit was used for analysis. Multinominal and binary logistic regressions were used to identify factors associated with contraception use, and models were adjusted for HIV status.

RESULTS

This study included 197 women (58 HIV-positive, 139 HIV-negative). Short-acting contraception methods were the most common methods used by women with (41.4%) and without HIV (47.5%, p=.43). Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) use was 14% among women with HIV and 32% among women without HIV (p=.12). Contraception use predictors included HIV status, mental health comorbidities, obesity and number of pregnancies.

CONCLUSION

Documented contraceptive method use among 18-30-year -old women seen in clinics in urban Alabama varied by HIV status. Women with HIV were less likely to use LARC methods compared to women without HIV.

IMPLICATIONS

Future studies should focus on identifying factors that influence contraceptive choice and which methods are offered to young women in the South. Providers should document contraception discussions at each visit and remove any barriers to LARC provision.

Effect of staff training and cost support on provision of long-acting reversible contraception in community health centers

OBJECTIVE

To compare the proportion of women receiving same-day long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) between two different models of contraceptive provision adapted from the Contraceptive CHOICE Project.

STUDY DESIGN

We used a controlled time-trend study design to compare 502 women receiving structured contraceptive counseling in addition to usual care ("Enhanced Care") to 506 women receiving counseling plus healthcare provider education and cost support for LARC ("Complete CHOICE") at three federally qualified health centers. We provided funds to health centers to ensure an "on-the-shelf" supply and no-cost LARC for uninsured women. We recorded the contraceptive method chosen after contraceptive counseling and the healthcare provider appointment as well as the contraceptive method received that day. Among women choosing LARC, we calculated proportions and performed Poisson regression with robust error variance to estimate relative risks for same-day insertion.

RESULTS

Participant demographics reflected the health center populations; 69% were black, 66% had a high school diploma or less, 57% were publicly insured, and 75% reported household income less than 101% federal poverty line. There were 153 (30.5%) women in "Enhanced Care" and 273 (54.0%) in "Complete CHOICE" who chose LARC (p<0.01). Among women who chose LARC (n=426), those in "Complete CHOICE" were more likely to receive a same-day insertion, 53.8% vs. 13.7% (RR_adj 4.73; 95%CI 3.20-6.98) compared to "Enhanced Care."

CONCLUSIONS

A contraceptive care model that included healthcare provider education and cost support for LARC in addition to structured contraceptive counseling resulted in higher rates of same-day LARC insertion compared to contraceptive counseling and usual care alone.

IMPLICATIONS

Contraceptive care provision which includes contraceptive counseling, healthcare provider education, and "on-the-shelf", long-acting reversible contraception facilitate same-day initiation of these methods. Interventions that focus solely on contraceptive counseling do not address other structural barriers to same-day contraceptive provision of all methods including cost and provider practice.

Improving LARC Access for Urban Adolescents and Young Adults in the Pediatric Primary Care Setting

The objective of this quality improvement study was to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and impact of integrating long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) delivery services into an academic pediatric primary care practice. Adolescent medicine providers in Baltimore, Maryland, were trained in LARC placement with gynecology providers integrated to offer onsite LARC placement and procedural support. Referrals, appointments, and contraceptive method choice/receipt were tabulated. Of 212 individuals referred for LARC consultations, 104 attended appointments. LARC placement at the initial referral increased from year 1 (N = 1) to year 2 (N = 42; P < .01). Adolescent medicine providers placed more LARCs in year 2 (N = 34) than year 1 (N = 0; P < .01). Patients aged 18 to 24 years were less likely to have a LARC placed than those aged 13 to 17 years (unadjusted odds ratio = 0.47 [0.26-0.86]). In conclusion, provider training and service integration of LARC services within a pediatric practice is feasible, acceptable, and increases LARC access and placement.

Medicaid savings from the Contraceptive CHOICE Project: a cost-savings analysis

BACKGROUND

Forty-five percent of births in the United States are unintended, and the costs of unintended pregnancy and birth are substantial. Clinical and policy interventions that increase access to the most effective reversible contraceptive methods (intrauterine devices and contraceptive implants) have potential to generate significant cost savings. Evidence of cost savings for these interventions is needed.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to conduct a cost-savings analysis of the Contraceptive CHOICE Project, which provided counseling and no-cost contraception, to demonstrate the value of investment in enhanced contraceptive care to the Missouri Medicaid program.

STUDY DESIGN

The Contraceptive CHOICE Project was a prospective cohort study of 9256 reproductive-age women who were enrolled between 2007 and 2011. Study follow-up was completed October 2013. This analysis includes 5061 Contraceptive CHOICE Project participants who were current Missouri Medicaid beneficiaries or were uninsured and reported household incomes <201% of the federal poverty line. We created a simulated comparison group of women who were receiving care through the Missouri Title X program and modeled the contraception and pregnancy outcomes that would have occurred in the absence of the Contraceptive CHOICE Project. Data about contraceptive use for the comparison group (N=5061) were obtained from the Missouri Title X program and adjusted based on age, race, ethnicity, and income. To make an accurate comparison that would account for the difference in the 2 populations, we used our simulation model to estimate total Contraceptive CHOICE Project costs and total comparison group costs. We reported all costs in 2013 dollars to account for inflation.

RESULTS

Among the Contraceptive CHOICE Project participants who were included, the uptake of intrauterine devices and implants was 76.1% compared with 4.8% among the comparison group. The estimated contraceptive cost for the simulated Contraceptive CHOICE Project group was $4.0 million vs $2.3 million for the comparison group. The estimated numbers of unintended pregnancies and births averted among the simulated Contraceptive CHOICE Project group compared with the comparison group were 927 and 483, respectively, which represented a savings in pregnancy and maternity care of $6.7 million. We estimated that the total cost savings for the state of Missouri attributable to the Contraceptive CHOICE Project was $5.0 million (40.7%) over the project duration.

CONCLUSION

A program providing counseling and no-cost contraception yields substantial cost savings because of the increased uptake of highly effective contraception and consequent averted unintended pregnancy and birth.

State of emergency contraception in the U.S., 2018

Emergency contraception is indicated in instances of unprotected sexual intercourse, including reproductive coercion, sexual assault, and contraceptive failure. It plays a role in averting unintended pregnancies due to inconsistent use or non-use of contraception. Options for emergency contraception vary by efficacy as well as accessibility within the U.S. This paper provides an overview of levonorgestrel (Plan B One-Step and generic counterparts), ulipristal acetate (sold as ella), and the copper intrauterine device (IUD, sold as ParaGard), including the mechanisms of action, administration, efficacy, drug interactions, safety, side effects, advantages, and drawbacks. It will also review current misconceptions about emergency contraception and access for subpopulations, including adolescents, immigrants, survivors of sexual assault, rural populations, and military/veteran women. This paper will address barriers such as gaps in knowledge, and financial, health systems, and practice barriers. Continuing areas of research, including the impact of body weight on the efficacy of emergency contraceptive pills and potential interactions between ulipristal acetate and ongoing hormonal contraceptives, are also addressed.

The Latest in Teen Pregnancy Prevention: Long-Acting Reversible Contraception

Teen pregnancy is prevalent in the United States and has a number of potential negative outcomes. The most effective contraceptives available, known as long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), were recently approved for use in adolescents. LARC devices, including the intrauterine device and subdermal implant, are currently recommended as the first-line contraceptive for all women, including adolescents. Despite this recommendation, current LARC use in the adolescent population remains low. A number of barriers to LARC use in adolescents have been identified, including cost, provider knowledge, and patient education. It is important that nurse practitioners providing care to adolescents are knowledgeable of LARC methods and consistently recommend these devices as the first-line contraceptive to all patients desiring contraception because of their high efficacy, safety, and continuation rates. This article discusses LARC benefits, adverse effects, considerations, barriers to access, and implications for nursing practice.

Comparison of an additional early visit to routine postpartum care on initiation of long-acting reversible contraception: A randomized trial

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether an early 3-week postpartum visit in addition to the standard 6-week visit increases long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) initiation by 8 weeks postpartum compared to the routine 6-week visit alone.

STUDY DESIGN

We enrolled pregnant and immediate postpartum women into a prospective randomized, non-blinded trial comparing a single 6-week postpartum visit (routine care) to two visits at 3 and 6 weeks postpartum (intervention), with initiation of contraception at the 3-week visit, if desired. All participants received structured contraceptive counseling. Participants completed surveys in-person at baseline and at the time of each postpartum visit. A sample size of 200 total participants was needed to detect a 2-fold difference in LARC initiation (20% vs. 40%).

RESULTS

Between May 2016 and March 2017, 200 participants enrolled; outcome data are available for 188. The majority of LARC initiation occurred immediately postpartum (25% of the intervention arm and 27% of the routine care arm). By 8 weeks postpartum, 34% of participants in the intervention arm initiated LARC, compared to 41% in the routine care arm (p=.35). Overall contraceptive initiation by 8 weeks was 83% and 84% in the intervention and routine care arms, respectively (p=.79). There was no difference between the arms in the proportion of women who attended at least one postpartum visit (70% vs. 74%, p=.56).

CONCLUSION

The addition of a 3-week postpartum visit to routine care does not increase LARC initiation by 8 weeks postpartum. The majority of LARC users desired immediate rather than interval postpartum initiation.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.govNCT02769676 IMPLICATIONS: The addition of a 3-week postpartum visit to routine care does not increase LARC or overall contraceptive initiation by 8 weeks postpartum when the option of immediate postpartum placement is available. The majority of LARC users desired immediate rather than interval postpartum initiation.