Trends in long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) use, LARC use predictors, and dual-method use among a national sample of college women

Trends in different contraception methods among women attending the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre from 2011 to 2020

OBJECTIVES

The efficacy and availability of contraception have changed in the last several decades; however, unintended pregnancies continue to be an issue in Australia. This study aimed to describe trends in contraception in women attending a sexual health service over 9 years.

STUDY DESIGN

Repeated cross-sectional study.

METHODS

Women aged 16-49 years attending Melbourne Sexual Health Centre between 2011 and 2020 were included. Women were asked what methods of contraception they currently use. Contraception were categorised into long-acting reversible contraception (LARC; e.g. intrauterine devices and implants classified as highly effective), moderately effective contraception (e.g. oral contraception pill), less effective contraception (e.g. condom and withdrawal) and no contraception, as defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the factors associated with the use of moderate-high-efficacy contraception.

RESULTS

A total of 38,288 women were included with a median age of 25 (interquartile range: 22-29). Between 2011 and 2020, there was a decreasing trend in condom (63.3%-56.1%; Ptrend <0.001) and oral contraception (27.2%-20.5%; Ptrend <0.001) use, whilst there was an increasing trend in the use of LARCs: implant (4.6%-6.0%; Ptrend = 0.002) and intrauterine device (2.8%-11.8%; Ptrend <0.001). Increasing age was associated with decreased odds of using moderate-high-efficacy contraception (Ptrend <0.001). Compared with Oceanian-born women, Asian (adjusted odds ratios [aOR] = 0.63, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.56-0.72) and Middle Eastern-born women (aOR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.48-0.74) had lower odds of using moderate-high-efficacy contraception, whilst European (aOR = 1.23, 95% CI:1.07-1.41) and North American-born women (aOR = 1.51, 95% CI: 1.22-1.87) had higher odds of using moderate-high-efficacy contraception.

CONCLUSIONS

Between 2011 and 2020, LARC use has increased, whilst less effective contraceptives, such as condom and oral contraception, have decreased among women at Melbourne Sexual Health Centre. Further research is required to understand age and ethnic disparities in contraception methods for future family planning programmes.

Balancing career goals and parenthood desires: results from a survey of undergraduate pre-health students at a hispanic-serving institution in Texas

OBJECTIVE

To examine family planning and fertility experiences and views, as well as desired parenthood timing and career plans, of diverse undergraduate pre-health students.

PARTICIPANTS

266 pre-health undergraduate students attending a Hispanic-Serving Institution in South Texas.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional, online survey with a purposive sample of undergraduate students and analyzed data descriptively.

RESULTS

Most students desired children in the future but were concerned about planning the timing of parenthood against their career training. The results highlight the need to improve both family planning and fertility knowledge, based on a high unmet need for contraceptives, low perceived knowledge about fertility/infertility treatment, and a desire to learn more about planning the timing of their career training alongside parenthood.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights potential gaps in reproductive health information and services among diverse, health-focused students needed to inform choices about the timing of their families and career training.

Expanding contraceptive choice among first-time mothers age 15-24 in Kinshasa: The Momentum pilot project

Introduction

Evidence shows that an expanded range of contraceptive methods, client-centered comprehensive counseling, and voluntary informed choice are key components of successful family planning programs. This study assessed the effect of the Momentum project on contraceptive choice among first-time mothers (FTMs) age 15-24 who were six-months pregnant at baseline in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and socioeconomic determinants of the use of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC).

Methods

The study employed a quasi-experimental design, with three intervention health zones and three comparison health zones. Trained nursing students followed FTMs for 16 months and conducted monthly group education sessions and home visits consisting of counseling and provision of a range of contraceptive methods and referrals. Data were collected in 2018 and 2020 through interviewer-administered questionnaires. The effect of the project on contraceptive choice was estimated using intention-to-treat and dose-response analyses, with inverse probability weighting among 761 modern contraceptive users. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine predictors of LARC use.

Results

Project effect was detected on receipt of family planning counseling, obtaining the current contraceptive method from a community-based health worker, informed choice, and current use of implants vs. other modern methods. There were significant dose-response associations of the level of exposure to Momentum interventions and the number of home visits with four of five outcomes. Positive predictors of LARC use included exposure to Momentum interventions, receipt of prenatal counseling on both birth spacing and family planning (age 15-19), and knowledge of LARCs (age 20-24). The FTM's perceived ability to ask her husband/male partner to use a condom was a negative predictor of LARC use.

Discussion

Given limited resources, expanding community-based contraceptive counseling and distribution through trained nursing students may expand family planning access and informed choice among first-time mothers.

2gether: A Clinic-Based Intervention to Increase Dual Protection from Sexually Transmitted Infections and Pregnancy in Young African American Females

Background: To determine whether the 2gether intervention increases use of a dual protection (DP; concurrent prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections [STIs]) strategy and decreases pregnancy and STIs among young African American females, who disproportionately experience these outcomes. Materials and Methods: We conducted a randomized clinical trial comparing the 2gether intervention to standard of care (SOC). Participants were self-identified African American females aged 14-19 years who were sexually active with a male partner in the past 6 months. Participants were followed for 12 months; 685 were included in the analytic sample. The primary biologic outcome was time to any incident biologic event (chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomonas infections, or pregnancy). The primary behavioral outcomes were use of and adherence to a DP strategy. Results: 2gether intervention participants had a decreased hazard of chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomonas infections, or pregnancy during follow-up, hazard ratio = 0.73 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.58-0.92), and were more likely to report use of condoms plus contraception, generally, adjusted risk ratio (aRR) = 1.61 (95% CI 1.15-2.26) and condoms plus an implant or intrauterine device (IUD), specifically, aRR = 2.11 (95% CI 1.35-3.29) in the prior 3 months compared with those receiving SOC. 2gether participants were also more likely to report use of condoms plus an implant or IUD at last sex and consistently over the prior 3 months. Conclusions: 2gether was efficacious in increasing use of condoms with contraception and decreasing pregnancy or selected STIs in our participants. Implementation of this intervention in clinical settings serving young people with high rates of pregnancy and STIs may be beneficial. ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT02291224 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02291224?term=2gether&draw=2&rank=5).

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Weight Loss Behaviors Among US College Students

Purpose

Weight loss behaviors are prevalent among college students and are associated with adverse physical and psychological outcomes, such as an elevated risk of developing an eating disorder. While cross-ethnic differences have been reported, no consistent pattern has emerged. The purpose of this study was to examine racial and ethnic differences in weight loss behaviors among female and male college students.

Patients and Methods

The American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment (ACHA-NCHA) II-C survey data from the collection periods from 2015 to 2019 was used. A total of 426,425 students participated in the survey. Most participants were White (60%) and female (68.5%). Information on students' age, body mass index (BMI), and self-rated health was also collected. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine cross-ethnic differences in weight loss methods among female and male students.

Results

Students' weight loss behaviors were assessed and included dieting, exercising, vomiting or taking laxatives, and the use of diet pills in the past 30 days. More than half of the participants attempted to lose weight through exercise (53.5%), and 40.3% of students dieted to lose weight in the past month. Purging and the use of diet pills were endorsed by 2.9% and 2.8% of the participants, respectively. With few exceptions, male students from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds were more likely to engage in extreme weight control practices (ie, vomiting or taking laxatives, taking diet pills) than White male students, while female students from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds were less likely to use diet and exercise as weight loss methods than White female students. For all outcomes, Biracial/Multiracial and Hispanic/Latino male students were more likely to attempt weight loss than White male students. Biracial/Multiracial female students more frequently endorsed extreme weight control behaviors than White female students.

Conclusion

The results of the present study add to the growing body of literature on the relationship between race and ethnicity and weight loss behaviors. The findings indicate the need for tailored educational and intervention programs on college campuses.

Measurement and Operationalization of the Social Determinants of Health and Long-Acting Reversible Contraception Use in the U.S.: A Systematic Scoping Review

Introduction

The objective of this review was to conduct a systematic evaluation of the measurement and operationalization of the social determinants of health in research on long-acting reversible contraception use in the U.S. To contribute to the ongoing refinement of the quality of social determinants of health and long-acting reversible contraception use research, this systematic scoping review examines how social determinants of health are measured and operationalized in studies that examine long-acting reversible contraception initiation and usage at the patient level.

Methods

A detailed search of 5 electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, and PsycINFO) was conducted between December 2020 and January 2021 according to PRISMA guidelines. Determinants were assessed using the Dahlgren and Whitehead model. The protocol and data extraction template were developed a priori.

Results

A total of 27 articles representing 26 studies were included in our study. A total of 12 studies were retrospective and cross-sectional in design; the remaining studies were a combination of designs. Healthcare services and health insurance were identified as the most frequently researched categories of determinants. There was wide variation in reported operationalization of race and ethnicity, limited engagement with sexuality, and uneven geographic representation across studies.

Discussion

This systematic scoping review is the first, to the best of our knowledge, to focus on the measurement and operationalization of social determinants of health and on current long-acting reversible contraception use research. Future research on the impact of social determinants of health on long-acting reversible contraception use must explore the full range of factors shaping contraceptive decision making and use and focus on equity-informed data collection methods and reporting.

An exploratory test of a couples-based condom-use intervention designed to promote pleasurable and safer penile-vaginal sex among university students

Objective: Dual use of male condoms and female contraceptives is widely advocated for unplanned pregnancy prevention, yet college students often neglect condoms. This feasibility and acceptability study assessed the efficacy of a self-guided home-based condom-promotion intervention among college students in heterosexual relationships. Participants: Fifty-nine couples who had been together at least 30 days and had penile-vaginal sex at least twice weekly. Methods: Assessments were done at baseline and 6 months later. Outcomes were frequency of condom-unprotected penile-vaginal sex and four psychosocial mediators of condom use. Results: Frequency of unprotected penile-vaginal sex decreased over time. Several corresponding psychosocial mediators showed change, particularly among women. Using actor-partner interdependence modeling, men's increase in condom use was associated with an increase in women's sexual pleasure. Conclusion: Findings support implementation of a brief, self-guided, home-based condom-use intervention that could lower incidence of unplanned pregnancy and STIs among heterosexually active college students.

A Trend Analysis of Condom use in Spanish Young People over the Two Past Decades, 1999-2020

HIV exposure is one of the greatest sexual risks in young people, and condom use is the best protective measure. Despite the preventive efforts, trend in condom use is still unclear. This study examines the trend of condom use by gender in Spanish young people, in different sexual practices (vaginal, oral and anal), relationships (regular and casual) and having sex after drugs consumption during the two past decades (from 1999 to 2020). For this, 14,472 people who ranged from 17 to 40 years old (63.5% women) filled the AIDS Prevention Questionnaire in each year. In general, low condom use remains stable and even gets worse regardless of the type of sexual practice, relationship and the substance consumption. Regarding gender, this trend is worse in women who have been less likely to report condom use than men have. Moreover, older people have reported a minor frequency of condom use than the youngest people have done, except for anal sex. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze why, despite preventive efforts, condom use seems to decrease over time.

College-attending young men's sexual and reproductive health knowledge, attitudes and practices

ObjectiveMale involvement in contraceptive practice remains low. Family planning and pediatric health associations have recommended an emphasis on long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC) in clinical counseling with adolescents and young adults, raising concerns about the resulting adverse impact on sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates. Participants: College-attending men responded to an internet based questionnaire (n=31) and a phone-based qualitative interview (n=25). Methods: Our survey solicited attitudes toward and knowledge of contraceptive methods and assessed communication practices with sexual partners regarding use of contraception and disease prevention. Results: Knowledge about female methods of contraception was low, with a comparatively high level of knowledge about Plan B. Parents and health care providers were cited as the most helpful sources of information. Conversations about protection with sexual partners were reported by most men, due mainly to fear of unplanned pregnancy, not STI. Conclusion: Addressing couple communication and dual protection among college-attending men needs greater emphasis.

How Does Contraceptive Use Affect Women's Sexuality? A Novel Look at Sexual Acceptability

Among the components of a healthy life, sexuality is essential, contributing to both the psychophysical and social well-being of women and, consequently, to their quality of life. A poorly investigated standpoint is the acceptability of contraceptive methods, both in terms of their tolerability and metabolic neutrality and in terms of their impact on sexual life. In this context, we will provide an overview of the different methods of contraception and their effects on female sexuality, from biological changes to organic, social, and psychological factors, which can all shape sexuality. A MEDLINE/PubMed review of the literature between 2010 and 2021 was conducted using the following key words and phrases: hormonal contraception, contraceptives, female sexual function, libido, sexual arousal and desire, and sexual pain. Recent studies have supported the effects of contraceptives on women's sexuality, describing a variety of positive and negative events in several domains of sexual function (desire, arousal, orgasm, pain, enjoyment). However, satisfaction with sexual activity depends on factors that extend beyond sexual functioning alone. A more holistic approach is needed to better understand the multitude of factors linked to women's sexuality and contraception. Contraceptive counseling must consider these important elements since they are closely related to good compliance and maximize non-contraceptive health benefits.

Quantifying the Quality of Web-Based Health Information on Student Health Center Websites Using a Software Tool: Design and Development Study

Background

The internet has become a major source of health information, especially for adolescents and young adults. Unfortunately, inaccurate, incomplete, or outdated health information is widespread on the web. Often adolescents and young adults turn to authoritative websites such as the student health center (SHC) website of the university they attend to obtain reliable health information. Although most on-campus SHC clinics comply with the American College Health Association standards, their websites are not subject to any standards or code of conduct. In the absence of quality standards or guidelines, monitoring and compliance processes do not exist for SHC websites. Thus, there is no oversight of the health information published on SHC websites by any central governing body.

Objective

The aim of this study is to develop, describe, and validate an open-source software that can effectively and efficiently assess the quality of health information on SHC websites in the United States.

Methods

Our cross-functional team designed and developed an open-source software, QMOHI (Quantitative Measures of Online Health Information), that assesses information quality for a specified health topic from all SHC websites belonging to a predetermined list of universities. The tool was designed to compute 8 different quality metrics that quantify various aspects of information quality based on the retrieved text. We conducted and reported results from 3 experiments that assessed the QMOHI tool in terms of its scalability, generalizability in health topics, and robustness to changes in universities’ website structure.

Results

Empirical evaluation has shown the QMOHI tool to be highly scalable and substantially more efficient than manually assessing web-based information quality. The tool’s runtime was dominated by network-related tasks (98%), whereas the metric computations take <2 seconds. QMOHI demonstrated topical versatility, evaluating SHC website information quality for four disparate and broad health topics (COVID, cancer, long-acting reversible contraceptives, and condoms) and two narrowly focused topics (hormonal intrauterine device and copper intrauterine device). The tool exhibited robustness, correctly measuring information quality despite changes in SHC website structure. QMOHI can support longitudinal studies by being robust to such website changes.

Conclusions

QMOHI allows public health researchers and practitioners to conduct large-scale studies of SHC websites that were previously too time- and cost-intensive. The capability to generalize broadly or focus narrowly allows a wide range of applications of QMOHI, allowing researchers to study both mainstream and underexplored health topics. QMOHI’s ability to robustly analyze SHC websites periodically promotes longitudinal investigations and allows QMOHI to be used as a monitoring tool. QMOHI serves as a launching pad for our future work that aims to develop a broadly applicable public health tool for web-based health information studies with potential applications far beyond SHC websites.

Association between relationship characteristics, sexual health attitudes, and dual contraceptive use among young adult college students aged 18-24

Objective Determine the relationship characteristics, sexual health attitudes, and demographic factors associated with dual contraceptive use among college students. Participants: September-October 2018 via campus email, we recruited College of Public Health students attending a large, urban, public university (N = 424). Methods: Respondents completed a cross-sectional, Web-based sexual health questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were calculated. Multiple logistic regression models were run to determine the association between relationship characteristics, pregnancy and condom attitudes, demographics, and dual use the last time having sex. Results: In independent models, one-unit increase in trust (aOR = 0.982; 95% CI: 0.966-0.998) and commitment score (aOR = 0.987, 95% CI: 0.976-0.999) was inversely associated with dual use while sex with a casual date/acquaintance (aOR = 3.149; 95% CI: 1.550-6.397) was positively associated. In a fully adjusted model for all correlates, only trust score was significant (aOR = 0.982; 95% CI: 0.966, 0.998). Conclusions: Emotion-based constructs may be more influential on dual use behaviors than discrete relationship factors.

Identifying gaps in dual protection from sexually transmissible infections and unintended pregnancies among Australian women: an observational study

Background Dual protection refers to the simultaneous prevention of sexually transmissible infection (STI) and unintended pregnancies. Optimal contraception and STI prevention strategies sometimes fail to align. Methods Using data from a large nationally representative population-based survey, we analysed the contraception and STI prevention behaviours at the last vaginal intercourse among 2420 heterosexually active women aged 16-34years who had participated in the Second Australian Study of Health and Relationships, 2012-13. Results At their last vaginal intercourse, most women (95%) used contraception and half (49%) used condoms, either as a sole multipurpose method or in conjunction with another type of contraception. Condom use was highest (72%) among women whose most recent partner was a casual or occasional partner, followed by women with a regular partner (59%) and women with a cohabiting regular partner (40%). One-third of the women (34%) used condoms as a sole method, and 14% used oral contraceptives together with a condom. Few women used implants or intrauterine devices (8%) and, among them, very few women also used condoms (<1%). Among the women who used a condom at their last vaginal intercourse, 49% reported both the correct use for STI prevention and consistent condom use during the previous 6months. Among women using condoms, correct and consistent use was also highest among women whose most recent partner was a casual or occasional partner (76%). Conclusions Although almost all women used contraception and half used dual protection, few benefited from the protective effects of using condoms together with highly effective contraception.

Long-Acting Reversible Contraception, Condom Use, and Sexually Transmitted Infections: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Given mixed findings regarding the relationship between long-acting reversible contraception and condom use, this systematic review and meta-analysis synthesizes studies comparing sexually transmitted infection‒related outcomes between users of long-acting reversible contraception (intrauterine devices, implants) and users of moderately effective contraceptive methods (oral contraceptives, injectables, patches, rings).

METHODS

MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Global Health, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and Scopus were searched for articles published between January 1990 and July 2018. Eligible studies included those that (1) were published in the English language, (2) were published in a peer-reviewed journal, (3) reported empirical, quantitative analyses, and (4) compared at least 1 outcome of interest (condom use, sexual behaviors other than condom use, sexually transmitted infection‒related service receipt, or sexually transmitted infections/HIV) between users of long-acting reversible contraception and users of moderately effective methods. In 2020, pooled ORs were calculated for condom use, chlamydia/gonorrhea infection, and trichomoniasis infection; findings for other outcomes were synthesized qualitatively. The protocol is registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42018109489).

RESULTS

A total of 33 studies were included. Long-acting reversible contraception users had decreased odds of using condoms compared with oral contraceptive users (OR=0.43, 95% CI=0.30, 0.63) and injectable, patch, or ring users (OR=0.58, 95% CI=0.48, 0.71); this association remained when limited to adolescents and young adults only. Findings related to multiple sex partners were mixed, and only 2 studies examined sexually transmitted infection testing, reporting mainly null findings. Pooled estimates for chlamydia and/or gonorrhea were null, but long-acting reversible contraception users had increased odds of trichomoniasis infection compared with oral contraceptive users (OR=2.01, 95% CI=1.11, 3.62).

DISCUSSION

Promoting condom use specifically for sexually transmitted infection prevention may be particularly important among long-acting reversible contraception users at risk for sexually transmitted infections, including adolescents and young adults.

The effect of mobile video training for healthcare providers on long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) use among adolescents and young women

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To assess whether improving providers' education by video training using a mobile phone could affect providers' knowledge and attitude toward long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), and thus further affect adolescents' and young nulliparous women's decisions to use LARCs. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, INTERVENTION, AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: This prospective case-control study was performed between 2019 and 2020. A total of 40 healthcare providers participated, of which 20 received "LARC First" video training, whereas the other 20 served as the control group and received no training. Surveys were conducted of 244 adolescents and young women who were consulted by these 2 groups of healthcare providers before abortion surgery. The data were used to analyze the relationship between providers' knowledge scores and the percentage of women who received counseling on LARCs decided to use LARCs, and what percentage continued to do so 12 months after surgery.

RESULTS

Providers from the study group scored higher in LARC knowledge than the control group. Compared to the control group, women in the study group reported receiving more counseling on LARCs (81.4% vs 7.9%) and more often chose to use LARCs (24.6% vs 2.4%). Twelve months later, there was no significant difference in contraceptive continuation between study and control groups, but study group participants were more likely to be using LARCs (P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Video training for providers improved both their knowledge and willingness to recommend LARCs and increased the probability of adolescent and young nulliparous women using these methods to reduce unintended pregnancy.

The Association Between Nonbarrier Contraceptive Use and Condom Use Among Sexually Active Latina Adolescents

PURPOSE

This study aimed to determine the association between use of highly effective methods of nonbarrier contraception and condom use in a sample of Latina adolescents and whether the change to a more effective method of nonbarrier contraception is associated with a change in condom use.

METHODS

As part of a larger study, 442 sexually active Latina adolescents aged 14-18 years were surveyed immediately before an appointment with a medical care provider at a school-based health center and 3 months later. Ordinal logistic and linear regression were used in the analysis of cross-sectional and longitudinal data to assess the relationship between patterns of nonbarrier contraception and condom use.

RESULTS

The use of all types of nonbarrier methods of contraception was significantly associated with decreased condom use. Change over time from a less effective to a more effective nonbarrier method of contraception was also associated with a decrease in condom use. Greater number of sexual encounters was associated with lower the frequency of condom use.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of highly effective methods of nonbarrier contraception was associated with reduced frequency of condom use. This highlights the need to promote condom use concurrently with nonbarrier methods of contraception to improve protection against both pregnancy and STIs.

You Have Options: Implementing and evaluating a contraceptive choice social marketing campaign

Background:

Up to two-thirds of pregnancies among young, unmarried women in the United States are unintended, despite increased access to highly effective contraceptive options.

Aim:

This study implemented and evaluated a social marketing campaign designed to increase access to a full range of contraceptive methods among women aged 18–24 years on a southeastern university campus.

Methods:

Researchers partnered with Choose Well and Student Health Services to design, implement, and evaluate You Have Options, a 10-week multi-media social marketing campaign. The campaign aimed to raise awareness, increase knowledge, and improve access to contraceptive options, including long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) methods among college women. A pretest-posttest web-based survey design measured campaign awareness and recognition, as well as attitudes, subjective norms, and behavior.

Results:

Participants demonstrated a significant increase in knowledge about intrauterine devices (IUDs) between pretest ( M = 2.66, SD = 1.30) and posttest ( M = 3.06; SD = 1.96); t(671) = −2.60, p < .01). Analysis revealed that frequent exposure to the campaign prompted participants to engage in discussions about LARC with friends ( p < .05). In addition, 20- to 24-year-olds who reported seeing the campaign messages were more likely to seek out information ( p < .01) and adopt a LARC method ( p = .001) than 18- or 19-year-olds who saw the campaign messages.

Conclusion:

Findings from the study offer practical recommendations for implementing social marketing campaigns aimed at increasing access to LARC and reducing unintended pregnancy.

Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptive Users' Knowledge, Conversations with Healthcare Providers, and Condom Use: Findings from a U.S. Nationally Representative Probability Survey

Objectives To describe long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) users' knowledge, patient-provider interactions, and condom use associated with LARC use. Methods: Data are from the 2018 National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior, a probability survey of Americans aged 14-49. Results: Of 1,451 sexually active women, 11.2% used intrauterine devices, and 3.1% used implants. Approximately 19-26% of LARC users reported inaccurately on LARC longevity, and 30% reported relying on their provider to indicate the timing of intrauterine device removal. Consistent condom use among LARC users was rare (6.1%). Conclusions: Our findings have implications for how clinicians educate patients on LARC and condom use.

Condom use among young women in Australia using long-acting reversible contraceptives or other hormonal contraceptives

Background Dual condom and long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) or non-LARC hormonal contraceptive use is the most effective way to protect against unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmissible infections (STIs). This study aimed to determine whether condom use varied between users of LARC and non-LARC hormonal contraceptives and explore their motivations for condom use.

METHODS

Women aged 16-24 years attending a sexual and reproductive health centre in Melbourne, Australia, completed a survey about contraceptives and sexual practices. The proportion of LARC and non-LARC hormonal contraceptive users using condoms was calculated and logistic regression compared condom use between the two groups. Condom use was based on frequency of use and coded as a binary variable 'never, not usually or sometimes' versus 'usually or always'.

RESULTS

In all, 294 (97%) women participated in the study; 23.8% (95% confidence interval (CI) 19.0-29.1%) used LARC and 41.7% (95% CI 36.0-47.6%) used non-LARC hormonal contraceptives. Condom use was reported by 26.1% (95% CI 16.3-38.1%) of LARC users and by 27.8% (95% CI 19.9-37.0%) of non-LARC hormonal contraceptive users. There was no difference in condom use between groups (odds ratio (OR) 0.9; 95% CI 0.4-1.9). Condom use reduced with increasing relationship length (≥6 months vs no relationship: OR 0.2; 95% CI 0.1-0.6). Non-LARC hormonal contraceptive users were more motivated to use condoms if worried about pregnancy than LARC users (62.8% vs 47.8%; P = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

Condom use was low and similar between users of LARC and non-LARC hormonal contraceptives, and was associated with the length of the relationship. These results highlight the need to promote condom use when prescribing LARCs and non-LARC hormonal contraceptives to reduce the risk of STIs.

Preparing for sperm-targeted contraception: College students' perceptions and intentions related to non-hormonal intravas injectable gel

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to evaluate college students' perceptions and behavioral intentions related to a new long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) for people with penises: non-hormonal intravas injectable gel (NH-IVIG).

DESIGN AND SAMPLE

Data collection utilized predictive constructs from the theory of planned behavior. An online questionnaire surveyed undergraduates (ages 18-24 years) at a Midwestern, liberal arts college (N = 460).

RESULTS

Of potential NH-IVIG users, 28.6% of males and 51.4% of females reported being overall likely to use or encourage its usage. The top three hypothetical NH-IVIG promoters were low cost, reversibility, and infrequent administration. High cost, new product uncertainties, plus administration via injection for the males, were the most frequently cited NH-IVIG deterrents. A majority of potential users indicated intentions to use protective barriers or other contraceptives simultaneously with NH-IVIG; females were more likely overall. Most respondents (males, 90.4%; females, 98.5%) agreed all sexual partners should be equally responsible for contraception. Over half trusted both males and females to use contraception, but females were significantly more trusted and trusting.

CONCLUSION

Understanding factors influencing NH-IVIG usage can direct initiatives for sperm-targeted LARCs to mitigate risk behaviors and optimize public health promotion.

Changes in young women’s contraceptive use in the Netherlands: findings from three sex under the age of 25 surveys

Prevention of unintended pregnancy among adolescents and young adults under 25 years is pivotal from an individual as well as societal perspective. In the USA, the use of long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) has been shown to increase, with no or little change in the use of short-acting reversible contraceptive (SARC). We assessed trends in no contraceptive, SARC, and LARC use by young women, aged between 12 and 25 years, and differences in trends within demographic groups (age, religion, ethnic background, and educational level) among these young women in the Netherlands. Data of sexually active young women aged 12–25 years from three cross-sectional representative surveys, 2005, 2012, and 2017, were used for this study. In total, 11,229 Dutch young women were included with a median age of 20 years (interquartile range 18–23 years). Overall, the proportion of young women using SARC decreased significantly between 2005 and 2017 from 88 to 76%. LARC use increased significantly between 2005 and 2017 from 3 to 16%. These trends varied by religious groups and educational level, emphasizing potential for tailored preventative measures for these groups. A shift towards LARC use might eventually lead to a further decrease in unwanted pregnancy and potentially abortion because of the lower risk of user errors.

Nexplanon Subdermal Implant: Assessment of Sexual Profile, Metabolism, and Bleeding in a Cohort of Italian Women

Objectives

To evaluate the impact on metabolism, bleeding, and sexual function of Nexplanon, a subdermal implant.

Study Design

We recruited women (n=101) receiving the Nexplanon implant at two university centers in Italy between 2011 and 2016 into this prospective, observational, multicenter research trial. Participants completed the Interview for Ratings of Sexual Function (IRSF) and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaires before and 3 and 6 months after the implant was inserted. In addition, all blood parameters were assessed at these visits. All women were given a menstrual diary card and a pictorial blood assessment chart to record daily any vaginal bleeding.

Results

The studied metabolic parameters remained in the normal range, showing no alarming modifications: minimal statistical reductions (in aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and activated partial thromboplastin time) and increases (in glucose and prothrombin activity) were observed. Changes in IRSF score over 6 months showed a significant increase in pleasure, personal initiative, orgasm, intensity of orgasm, and satisfaction, and a significant decrease in anxiety and discomfort. Mean Body Mass Index decreased, and the weekly frequency of sexual intercourse increased.

Conclusions

Nexplanon showed not only a lower metabolic and bleeding impact, but also important positive effects on sexual function. It expands the range of possibilities for women, 38 and couples, in the modern concepts of sexual and reproductive wellbeing.