Perceptions and Behaviors Related to Contraceptive Use in the Postpartum Period Among Women With Pregestational Diabetes Mellitus.
J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs 2020;
49:154-166. [PMID:
31951814 DOI:
10.1016/j.jogn.2019.12.002]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To describe perceptions and behaviors related to contraception and preconception care and to test the association between these perceptions and contraceptive use in the postpartum period among women with pregestational diabetes mellitus.
DESIGN
Cross-sectional, descriptive survey.
SETTING
Three high-risk obstetric clinics in the Southeastern United States.
PARTICIPANTS
Fifty-five women who were 18 years or older with pregestational Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes mellitus.
METHODS
Between 4 and 8 weeks after birth, we used investigator-developed items and psychometrically validated scales to measure participants' perceptions and behaviors related to contraception and preconception care. We dichotomized use of contraception in the postpartum period as procedure/prescription or nonprescription/no method. We used multiple logistic regression to test the hypothesis that perceptions are associated with contraceptive use.
RESULTS
When data were collected 4 to 8 weeks after birth, almost half (49%, n = 27) of the participants had resumed sexual activity; however, most (95%, n = 52) did not want another pregnancy in the next 18 months. Fifty-six percent (n = 31) of participants used procedure/prescription contraception, and 44% (n = 24) used nonprescription/no method. Those who perceived contraception use and preconception care to be beneficial were more likely to use procedure/prescription contraception (adjusted odds ratio = 1.52; 95% confidence interval [1.07, 2.17]).
CONCLUSION
When caring for women in the postpartum period, providers should be mindful that women's perceptions of the benefits of contraception and preconception care may have implications for whether their use aligns with their reproductive goals and optimizes outcomes for future pregnancies.
Collapse