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Bonanni G, Nguyen V, Shamshirsaz AA, Berghella V. Childbearing plans' predictive value for birth outcomes: A systematic review to inform mode of delivery decisions. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2025; 306:199-209. [PMID: 39854821 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2025.01.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2024] [Revised: 01/15/2025] [Accepted: 01/20/2025] [Indexed: 01/27/2025]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Rising cesarean delivery (CD) rates significantly impact maternal health, underscoring the need for comprehensive counseling. This review examines the consistency of childbearing plans over time and their predictive value for childbirth events. DATA SOURCES PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and PsycINFO databases up to October 2023. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Studies assessing women's childbearing plans at baseline (T1) and following up with subsequent plans and/or outcomes (T2). STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS Meta-analyses calculated risk ratios and standardized mean differences using random-effects models. Bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. RESULTS Forty-four studies (n = 132,846 women) were included. Average desired family size at T1 was 2.63 (95 %CI: 2.03-3.23), remaining stable at follow-up (p = 0.135). While no significant change in plans was observed for women who initially wanted children, negative plans showed significant instability (pooled effect size: 0.18, 95 %CI: 0.03-0.33; p = 0.0162). Estimated rates of stable, decreasing, and increasing childbearing plans were 74 %, 12 %, 11 %, respectively. Positive plans strongly predicted childbirth (RR = 3.95, 95 % CI: 2.46, 6.35; p < 0.0001; I2 = 98 %). Follow-up childbirth rates for initially negative plans were 5 % (95 % CI: 0-44 %) for nulliparae, 13 % (95 % CI: 2-57 %) for primiparae, and 64 % (95 % CI: 61-68 %) formultiparae. CONCLUSIONS On average, women desire 2.63 children (95 % CI: 2.03-3.23). Childbearing plans are largely stable, but around 10 % of women with negative or uncertain plans later desired children. Positive plans nearly quadrupled childbirth likelihood. Negative plans were less predictive, particularly in multiparous women. Future research should explore age, socioeconomics, and cultural contexts, particularly for nulliparous women over 35 considering elective CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Bonanni
- Fetal Care and Surgery Center, Division of Fetal Medicine and Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Women, Children, and Public Health Sciences, IRCCS Agostino Gemelli University Polyclinic Foundation, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
| | - Vivian Nguyen
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Alireza A Shamshirsaz
- Fetal Care and Surgery Center, Division of Fetal Medicine and Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Vincenzo Berghella
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Stanford JB, Duane M, Simmons R. Evaluating Pregnancy Rates in Fertility Awareness-Based Methods for Family Planning: Simulated Comparison of Correct Use to Avoid, Method-Related, and Total Pregnancy Rates. LINACRE QUARTERLY 2024; 91:315-328. [PMID: 39104463 PMCID: PMC11298100 DOI: 10.1177/00243639231212440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
Fertility awareness-based methods (FABMs), also known as natural family planning (NFP), enable couples to identify the days of the menstrual cycle when intercourse may result in pregnancy ("fertile days"), and to avoid intercourse on fertile days if they wish to avoid pregnancy. Thus, these methods are fully dependent on user behavior for effectiveness to avoid pregnancy. For couples and clinicians considering the use of an FABM, one important metric to consider is the highest expected effectiveness (lowest possible pregnancy rate) during the correct use of the method to avoid pregnancy. To assess this, most studies of FABMs have reported a method-related pregnancy rate (a cumulative proportion), which is calculated based on all cycles (or months) in the study. In contrast, the correct use to avoid pregnancy rate (also a cumulative proportion) has the denominator of cycles with the correct use of the FABM to avoid pregnancy. The relationship between these measures has not been evaluated quantitatively. We conducted a series of simulations demonstrating that the method-related pregnancy rate is artificially decreased in direct proportion to the proportion of cycles with intermediate use (any use other than correct use to avoid or targeted use to conceive), which also increases the total pregnancy rate. Thus, as the total pregnancy rate rises (related to intermediate use), the method-related pregnancy rate falls artificially while the correct use pregnancy rate remains constant. For practical application, we propose the core elements needed to assess correct use cycles in FABM studies. Summary Fertility awareness-based methods (FABMs) can be used by couples to avoid pregnancy, by avoiding intercourse on fertile days. Users want to know what the highest effectiveness (lowest pregnancy rate) would be if they use an FABM correctly and consistently to avoid pregnancy. In this simulation study, we compare two different measures: (1) the method-related pregnancy rate; and (2) the correct use pregnancy rate. We show that the method-related pregnancy rate is biased too low if some users in the study are not using the method consistently to avoid pregnancy, while the correct use pregnancy rate obtains an accurate estimate. Short Summary In FABM studies, the method-related pregnancy rate is biased too low, but the correct use pregnancy rate is unbiased.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph B. Stanford
- Office of Cooperative Reproductive Health, Division of Public Health, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, US
| | - Marguerite Duane
- Office of Cooperative Reproductive Health, Division of Public Health, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, US
- Department of Family Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington DC, US
| | - Rebecca Simmons
- Division of Family Planning, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, US
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Yarger J, Brauner-Otto SR. Women's Work Characteristics and Fertility Expectations. POPULATION RESEARCH AND POLICY REVIEW 2024; 43:26. [PMID: 39372905 PMCID: PMC11450555 DOI: 10.1007/s11113-024-09866-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 10/08/2024]
Abstract
Previous research has shown that employment is an important social context affecting fertility, yet relatively little is known about the extent to which work characteristics affect fertility expectations. Using over 25 years of data from the 1979 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, we analyzed the associations between part-time work and characteristics associated with autonomy over working time, specifically self-employment and managerial/professional occupation, and childbearing expectations among women ages 18-45 (N=4,415). Logistic regression models for longitudinal data reveal that work characteristics are significantly associated with fertility expectations, but that the specific nature of the relationship varies by parity. Among women with one child, those working part-time had predicted probabilities of expecting to have additional children that were 2% higher than those working full-time. In contrast, among women without any children, those working part-time had predicted probabilities that were 2% lower than those working full-time. Similar contrasting relationships by parity were found when comparing self-employed women to employees and managers/professionals to those in other occupations. Findings were consistent across racial and ethnic groups. These results suggest that different mechanisms link work characteristics to fertility plans for mothers and non-mothers, specifically that role incompatibility and work-family conflict are more salient for mothers but that financial strain is so for non-mothers.
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Din HN, Strong D, Singh-Carlson S, Corliss HL, Hartman SJ, Madanat H, Su HI. The effect of changing pregnancy intentions on preconception health behaviors: a prospective cohort study. J Cancer Surviv 2023; 17:1660-1668. [PMID: 36289184 PMCID: PMC10539193 DOI: 10.1007/s11764-022-01281-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Pregnancy intentions are associated with preconception health behaviors but are understudied among female adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors. Preconception health is critical for survivors because they face unique risks to fertility and pregnancy from late effects of cancer treatments. This study prospectively assessed the effect of pregnancy intention on physical activity (PA) and smoking behaviors among female AYA survivors. METHODS A cohort of 1049 female AYA survivors were recruited between 2013 and 2017. Participants were 18-39 years and had completed primary cancer treatment. Longitudinal mixed effects analysis was conducted on participants who completed at least 2 of 4 questionnaires over 1.5 years. Two measures were used to capture multiple dimensions of pregnancy intention. The pregnancy intention score (PIS) captured wanting and planning dimensions and represented a scaled response of low to high intention. The trying dimension captured urgent intention and ranged from not trying, ambivalent (neither attempting nor avoiding pregnancy), and trying now. Intention change was assessed between each consecutive time points. Final analysis was conducted with multiple imputations. RESULTS Survivors with increased intention measured by trying was associated with increased PA over time (adjusted B [95%CI]: 0.3 [0.01, 0.5]) compared to survivors with no changes or decreased trying intention. PIS was not significantly associated with preconception behaviors. No measure of intention was associated with smoking behavior. CONCLUSIONS Increasingly urgent pregnancy intention (trying dimension) was associated with higher preconception PA. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS Screening for immediate intentions can identify AYA survivors in need of early preconception health promotion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hena Naz Din
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
- School of Public Health, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Dr., San Diego, CA, 92182, USA.
| | - David Strong
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, 3855 Health Sciences Dr., La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Savitri Singh-Carlson
- School of Nursing, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Mall, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA
| | - Heather L Corliss
- School of Public Health, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Dr., San Diego, CA, 92182, USA
- Center for Research On Sexuality and Sexual Health, Institute for Behavioral and Community Health, San Diego State University, 9245 Sky Park Court, Suite 221, San Diego, CA, 92123, USA
| | - Sheri J Hartman
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, 3855 Health Sciences Dr., La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Hala Madanat
- School of Public Health, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Dr., San Diego, CA, 92182, USA
- Division of Research & Innovation, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Dr., San Diego, CA, 92182, USA
- Institute for Behavioral and Community Health, San Diego State University, 9245 Sky Park Court, Suite 221, San Diego, CA, 92123, USA
| | - H Irene Su
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
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Hall JA, Barrett G, Stephenson J, Rocca CH, Edelman N. Predictive ability of the Desire to Avoid Pregnancy scale. Reprod Health 2023; 20:144. [PMID: 37749640 PMCID: PMC10521409 DOI: 10.1186/s12978-023-01687-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A longstanding gap in the reproductive health field has been the availability of a screening instrument that can reliably predict a person's likelihood of becoming pregnant. The Desire to Avoid Pregnancy Scale is a new measure; understanding its sensitivity and specificity as a screening tool for pregnancy as well as its predictive ability and how this varies by socio-demographic factors is important to inform its implementation. METHODS This analysis was conducted on a cohort of 994 non-pregnant participants recruited in October 2018 and followed up for one year. The cohort was recruited using social media as well as advertisements in a university, school, abortion clinic and outreach sexual health service. Almost 90% of eligible participants completed follow-up at 12 months; those lost to follow-up were not significantly different on key socio-demographic factors. We used baseline DAP score and a binary variable of whether participants experienced pregnancy during the study to assess the sensitivity, specificity, area under the ROC curve (AUROC) and positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) of the DAP at a range of cut-points. We also examined how the predictive ability of the DAP varied according to socio-demographic factors and by the time frame considered (e.g., pregnancy within 3, 6, 9 and 12 months). RESULTS At a cut-point of 2 on the 0-4 range of the DAP scale, the DAP had a sensitivity of 0.78, a specificity of 0.81 and an excellent AUROC of 0.87. In this sample the cumulative incidence of pregnancy was 16% (95%CI 13%, 18%) making the PPV 43% and the NPV 95% at this cut-point. The DAP score was the factor most strongly associated with pregnancy, even after age and number of children were taken into account. The association between baseline DAP score and pregnancy did not differ across time frames. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study to assess the DAP scale as a screening tool and shows that its predictive ability is superior to the limited pre-existing pregnancy prediction tools. Based on our findings, the DAP could be used with a cut-point selected according to the purpose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A Hall
- Reproductive Health Research Department, UCL Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women's Health, London, UK.
| | - Geraldine Barrett
- Reproductive Health Research Department, UCL Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women's Health, London, UK
| | - Judith Stephenson
- Reproductive Health Research Department, UCL Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women's Health, London, UK
| | - Corinne H Rocca
- San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health (ANSIRH), University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Natalie Edelman
- Independent Researcher and Trauma-Informed Consultant at TRuST, Brighton, UK
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Hall JA, Barrett G, Stephenson JM, Edelman NL, Rocca C. Desire to Avoid Pregnancy scale: clinical considerations and comparison with other questions about pregnancy preferences. BMJ SEXUAL & REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH 2023; 49:167-175. [PMID: 36717217 PMCID: PMC10359540 DOI: 10.1136/bmjsrh-2022-201750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinicians and women of reproductive age would benefit from a reliable way to identify who is likely to become pregnant in the next year, in order to direct health advice. The 14-item Desire to Avoid Pregnancy (DAP) scale is predictive of pregnancy; this paper compares it with other ways of assessing pregnancy preferences to shortlist options for clinical implementation. METHODS A cohort of 994 UK women of reproductive age completed the DAP and other questions about pregnancy preferences, including the Attitude towards Potential Pregnancy Scale (APPS), at baseline and reported on pregnancies quarterly for a year. For each question, DAP item and combinations of DAP items, we examined the predictive ability, sensitivity, specificity, area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC), and positive and negative predictive values. RESULTS The AUROCs and predictive ability of the APPS and DAP single items were weaker than the full DAP, though all except one had acceptable AUROCs (>0.7). The most predictive individual DAP item was 'It would be a good thing for me if I became pregnant in the next 3 months', where women who strongly agreed had a 66.7% chance of pregnancy within 12 months and the AUROC was acceptable (0.77). CONCLUSION We recommend exploring the acceptability to women and healthcare professionals of asking a single DAP item ('It would be a good thing for me if I became pregnant in the next 3 months'), possibly in combination with additional DAP items. This will help to guide service provision to support reproductive preferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Anne Hall
- Research Department of Reproductive Health, UCL Institute for Women's Health, London, UK
| | - Geraldine Barrett
- Research Department of Reproductive Health, UCL Institute for Women's Health, London, UK
| | - Judith M Stephenson
- Research Department of Reproductive Health, UCL Institute for Women's Health, London, UK
| | - Natalie Lois Edelman
- School of Sport & Health Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton, UK
- Primary Care & Public Health, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, UK
| | - Corinne Rocca
- Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health (ANSIRH), Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine, Oakland, San Francisco, California, USA
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7
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Wang S, Minguez-Alarcon L, Capotosto MP, Mitsunami M, Gaskins AJ, Charlton BM, Hart JE, Rich-Edwards JW, Chavarro JE. Pregnancy Intention, Changes in Pregnancy Intention, and Pregnancy Incidence Among Female Nurses in North America. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2311301. [PMID: 37133861 PMCID: PMC10157424 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.11301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Pregnancy intention assessment is a key element of preconception and contraceptive care. The association between a single screening question and the incidence of pregnancy is unknown. Objective To prospectively evaluate the dynamics of pregnancy intention and pregnancy incidence. Design, Setting, and Participants This prospective cohort study (the Nurses' Health Study 3) was conducted from June 1, 2010, to April 1, 2022, in 18 376 premenopausal, nonpregnant female nurses aged 19 to 44 years. Main Outcomes and Measures Pregnancy intention and pregnancy status were assessed at baseline and approximately every 3 to 6 months thereafter. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate the association between pregnancy intention and pregnancy incidence. Results A total of 18 376 premenopausal, nonpregnant women (mean [SD] age, 32.4 [6.5] years) participated in the study. At baseline, 1008 women (5.5%) were trying to conceive, 2452 (13.3%) were contemplating pregnancy within 1 year, and the remaining 14 916 (81.2%) were neither trying to conceive nor thought they would be pregnant within 1 year. A total of 1314 pregnancies were documented within 12 months of pregnancy intention assessment. The cumulative incidence of pregnancy was 38.8% in women actively trying to conceive (median [IQR] time to pregnancy, 3.3 [1.5-6.7] months), 27.6% in women contemplating pregnancy (median [IQR] time to pregnancy, 6.7 [4.2-9.3] months), and 1.7% in women neither trying to conceive nor contemplating pregnancy (median [IQR] time to pregnancy, 7.8 [5.2-10.5] months) among those who became pregnant. Women who were actively trying to conceive were 23.1 times (95% CI, 19.5-27.4 times) and women who were contemplating pregnancy were 13.0 times (95% CI, 11.1-15.2 times) more likely to conceive within 12 months than women who were neither attempting nor contemplating pregnancy. Among women contemplating pregnancy at baseline who did not get pregnant during follow up, 18.8% were actively trying and 27.6% were not trying by 12 months. Conversely, only 4.9% of women neither trying to conceive nor contemplating pregnancy within 1 year at baseline changed pregnancy intention during follow up. Conclusions and Relevance In this cohort study of reproductive-aged nurses in North America, pregnancy intention was highly fluid among women who were contemplating pregnancy but relatively stable among women trying to conceive and women who were neither trying to conceive nor contemplating pregnancy. Pregnancy intention was strongly associated with pregnancy incidence, but the median time to pregnancy points to a relatively short time window to initiate preconception care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siwen Wang
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Lidia Minguez-Alarcon
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Makiko Mitsunami
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Audrey J. Gaskins
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Brittany M. Charlton
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jaime E. Hart
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Janet W. Rich-Edwards
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
- Division of Women’s Health, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jorge E. Chavarro
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
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Charron E, Kent-Marvick J, Gibson T, Taylor E, Bouwman K, Sani GM, Simonsen SE, Stone RH, Kaiser JE, McFarland MM. Barriers to and facilitators of hormonal and long-acting reversible contraception access and use in the US among reproductive-aged women who use opioids: A scoping review. Prev Med Rep 2023; 32:102111. [PMID: 36747991 PMCID: PMC9898069 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2023.102111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Existing research has found that women who use opioids (WWUO) experience challenges to hormonal and long-acting reversible contraception (HC-LARC) access and use. Facilitators of such use are unclear. We conducted a scoping review to comprehensively map the literature on barriers to and facilitators of HC-LARC access and use in the United States among reproductive-aged WWUO. In accordance with the JBI Manual of Evidence Synthesis, we conducted literature searches for empirical articles published from 1990 to 2021. Independent reviewers screened references, first by titles and abstracts, then by full-text, and charted data of eligible articles. We coded and organized HC-LARC barriers and facilitators according to a four-level social-ecological model (SEM) and categorized findings within each SEM level into domains. We screened 4,617 records, of which 28 articles focusing on HC-LARC (n = 18), LARC only (n = 6), or testing an intervention to increase HC-LARC uptake (n = 4) met inclusion criteria. We identified 13 domains of barriers and 11 domains of facilitators across four SEM levels (individual, relationship, community, societal). The most frequently cited barriers and facilitators were methods characteristics, partner and provider relations, transportation, healthcare availability and accessibility, cost, insurance, and stigma. Future studies would benefit from recruiting participants and collecting data in community settings, targeting more diverse populations, and identifying neighborhood, social, and policy barriers and facilitators. Reducing barriers and improving equity in HC-LARC access and use among WWUO is a complex, multifaceted issue that will require targeting factors simultaneously at multiple levels of the social-ecological hierarchy to effect change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Charron
- Hudson College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Schusterman Center, 4502 E. 41st Street, Tulsa, OK 74135, USA
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, 383 Colorow Lane, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA
| | | | - Tyler Gibson
- College of Nursing, University of Utah, 10 South 2000 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Eliza Taylor
- College of Nursing, University of Utah, 10 South 2000 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Kelsey Bouwman
- College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, 250 W. Green St, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Gelina M. Sani
- College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, 250 W. Green St, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Sara E. Simonsen
- College of Nursing, University of Utah, 10 South 2000 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Rebecca H. Stone
- College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, 250 W. Green St, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Jennifer E. Kaiser
- Division of Family Planning, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah Health, 50N Medical Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
| | - Mary M. McFarland
- Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library, University of Utah, 10 N. 1900 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
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9
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Simmons RG, Baayd J, Waters M, Diener Z, Turok DK, Sanders JN. Assessing contraceptive use as a continuum: outcomes of a qualitative assessment of the contraceptive journey. Reprod Health 2023; 20:33. [PMID: 36793112 PMCID: PMC9930211 DOI: 10.1186/s12978-023-01573-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Contraceptive use is often a multi-decade experience for people who can become pregnant, yet few studies have assessed how this ongoing process impacts contraceptive decision-making in the context of the reproductive life course. METHODS We conducted in-depth interviews assessing the contraceptive journeys of 33 reproductive-aged people who had previously received no-cost contraception through a contraceptive initiative in Utah. We coded these interviews using modified grounded theory. RESULTS A person's contraceptive journey occurred in four phases: identification of need, method initiation, method use, and method discontinuation. Within these phases, there were five main areas of decisional influence: physiological factors, values, experiences, circumstances, and relationships. Participant stories demonstrated the ongoing and complex process of navigating contraception across these ever-changing aspects. Individuals stressed the lack of any "right" method of contraception in decision-making and advised healthcare providers to approach contraceptive conversations and provision from positions of method neutrality and whole-person perspectives. CONCLUSIONS Contraception is a unique health intervention that requires ongoing decision-making without a particular "right" answer. As such, change over time is normal, more method options are needed, and contraceptive counseling should account for a person's contraceptive journey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca G. Simmons
- Division of Family Planning, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Utah, 30 North 1900 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84132 USA
| | - Jami Baayd
- Division of Family Planning, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Utah, 30 North 1900 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84132 USA
| | - Megan Waters
- Division of Family Planning, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Utah, 30 North 1900 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84132 USA
| | - Zoë Diener
- Division of Family Planning, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Utah, 30 North 1900 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84132 USA
| | - David K. Turok
- Division of Family Planning, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Utah, 30 North 1900 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84132 USA
| | - Jessica N. Sanders
- Division of Family Planning, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Utah, 30 North 1900 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84132 USA
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10
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Koenig LR, Smith Hughes C, Gemmill A, Diamond-Smith N. Unequal impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on women's fertility preferences: Evidence from a longitudinal cohort in the United States. SSM Popul Health 2022; 20:101305. [PMID: 36467514 PMCID: PMC9705005 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2022.101305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
•The COVID-19 pandemic suppressed fertility desires among US women.•Impacts on fertility preferences persisted from summer 2020 to early 2021.•The fertility preferences of younger women, women of color and those facing financial stress were most impacted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah R. Koenig
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Carolyn Smith Hughes
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Alison Gemmill
- Department of Population, Family, and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, USA
| | - Nadia Diamond-Smith
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Bullington BW, Sata A, Arora KS. Shared Decision-Making: The Way Forward for Postpartum Contraceptive Counseling. Open Access J Contracept 2022; 13:121-129. [PMID: 36046227 PMCID: PMC9423116 DOI: 10.2147/oajc.s360833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
There are multi-level barriers that impact uptake of postpartum contraception and result in disparities, including clinical barriers such as provider bias. Fortunately, clinicians have direct control over their contraceptive counseling practices, and thus reducing structural barriers is actionable through high quality contraceptive counseling that equips patients with the knowledge and guidance they need to fulfill their reproductive desires. Yet, many commonly employed contraceptive counseling strategies, like One Key Question and WHO tiered contraceptive counseling, are not patient-driven, do not account for the important nuances of contraceptive choices, and are not focused specifically on the postpartum period. Given the history of eugenics and reproductive coercion in the US, supporting patient through their contraceptive decision-making process is especially vital. Additionally, contraceptive preferences vary based on patient-level factors and fluctuate over time and counseling should account for such differences. Shared contraceptive decision-making occurs when patients provide input on their values, desires, and preferences and clinicians share medical knowledge and evidence-based information without judgement. This approach is considered the most ethically sound form of counseling, as it maximizes patient autonomy. Shared decision-making also has clinical benefits, including increased patient satisfaction. In sum, shared contraceptive decision-making should be universally adopted to promote ethical, high-quality care and reproductive autonomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brooke W Bullington
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27516, USA.,Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27516, USA
| | - Asha Sata
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27516, USA
| | - Kavita Shah Arora
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27516, USA
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