Counseling about IUDs: a mixed-methods analysis

Patient Barriers to Discontinuing Long-Acting Reversible Contraception

OBJECTIVES

To describe how frequently a national sample of patients with experience discontinuing or desiring discontinuation of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) experienced barriers to discontinuation.

METHODS

We conducted an online survey of individuals ages 18 to 50 in the United States who had previously used and discontinued or attempted to discontinue LARC. We recruited respondents using the Amazon platform MTurk. Respondents provided demographic information and answered questions regarding their experience discontinuing LARC, including reasons removal was deferred or denied. We analyzed frequency of types of barriers encountered and compared these by demographic factors.

RESULTS

Of the 376 surveys analyzed, 99 (26%) described experiencing at least one barrier to removal. Barriers were disproportionately reported by those who had public health insurance, a history of abortion, and a history of birth compared to those who did not report barriers to removal. They also more frequently identified as Latinx, Asian, or Middle Eastern. Most barriers were provider-driven and potentially modifiable.

CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE

Barriers to LARC discontinuation are common and may be provider- or systems-driven. Providers should be mindful of biases in their counseling and practices to avoid contributing to these barriers.

Why Pakistani Women Do Not Use Intrauterine Contraceptive Devices: A Systematic Review of Barriers and Misconceptions

This review explores barriers limiting the adoption of Intrauterine Contraceptive Devices (IUCDs) in Pakistan, focusing exclusively on local articles. As Pakistan's high population calls for widespread contraception, we aim to pinpoint obstacles hindering IUCD utilization, irrespective of parity. We conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, Google Scholar, PakMedinet, and Wiley Online Library for English-language primary studies published between 2000 and 2022, reporting on IUCD utilization in Pakistan. Our analysis reveals multiple barriers impeding IUCD use in Pakistan. These encompass patriarchal social norms, male dominance, low education, socioeconomic status, and unemployment. Post-insertion health concerns, inadequate counseling, government commitment, and awareness were also identified barriers. Provider confidence, client trust, women's autonomy, social constraints, and limited male partner involvement hindered IUCD adoption. A desire for larger families and male offspring, vague religious beliefs, fear, and misconceptions further restricted usage. Accessibility and high service costs also posed challenges. This review highlights prevailing impediments to IUCD adoption in Pakistan, encompassing knowledge gaps, motivation deficits, resistance from husbands and in-laws, cultural and religious beliefs, limited access, and communication barriers. To promote IUCDs as a modern contraceptive method, it is essential to raise awareness among both men and women. Active involvement of religious leaders and community stakeholders is crucial in addressing these social factors hindering IUCD utilization.

Claims in the clinic: A qualitative group interview study on healthcare communication about unestablished side effects of the copper IUD

BACKGROUND

Lay online communication about health-related issues has in recent years largely been associated with the spread of misinformation and decreased trust in healthcare. Such communication has included claims about systemic side effects of the copper IUD. In Sweden, a social media group centered on this issue now gathers around 8,700 members. This study aimed to use the case of reported yet unestablished side effects of the copper IUD to investigate experiences of and reasoning about healthcare encounters between caregivers and patients contesting established medical knowledge.

METHODS

We conducted qualitative, semi-structured, digital group interviews with members of the social media group (seven groups, n = 23) and with midwives and gynecologists (six groups, n = 15). We also gathered essays written by social media group members (n = 23). The material was analyzed thematically.

RESULTS

The participant accounts pointed towards tensions related to principles of evidence-based medicine, i.e., perceived insufficiency of research on the safety of the copper IUD and lack of clarity in routines for reporting and following up suspected side effects, and of patient-centered care, i.e., listening respectfully to patients. Tension between caregivers' obligation to adhere to evidence-based medicine while also providing patient-centered care was noted.

CONCLUSION

Healthcare providers' efforts to assess and address patient claims contesting established medical knowledge should include ensuring and communicating sufficient research, clarifying procedures for reporting suspected side effects, and improving person-centered care. This can increase the quality of care while contributing to the mitigation of distrust in healthcare and the spreading of health-related misinformation.

"She should support me, she's my doctor:" Patient perceptions of agency in contraceptive decision-making in the clinical encounter in Northern California

INTRODUCTION

Agency in contraceptive decision-making is an essential aspect of reproductive autonomy. We conducted qualitative research to investigate what agency means to patients seeking contraceptive care to inform the development of a validated measure of this construct.

METHODOLOGY

We held four focus group discussions and seven interviews with sexually-active individuals assigned female at birth, ages 16-29 years, recruited from reproductive health clinics in Northern California. We explored experiences in contraceptive decision-making during the clinic visit. We coded data in ATLAS.ti and by hand, compared codes across three coders, and used thematic analysis to identify salient themes.

RESULTS

The sample mean age was 21 years, with 17% of participants identifying as Asian, 23% as Black, 27% as Latinx, 17% as Multiracial/other, and 27% as white. Overall, participants reported active and engaged decision-making in their recent contraceptive visit but noted experiences that had undermined their agency in the past. They described how non-judgmental care allowed them to communicate openly, affirming their ability to make their own decisions. However, several mentioned how unexpected contraceptive side effects after the visit had reduced their sense of agency over their decision in retrospect. Several participants, including those who identified as Black, Latinx, and/or Asian, described prior experiences where pressure to use a contraceptive method had undermined their agency and where they had switched providers to regain agency over their contraceptive decisions.

DISCUSSION

Most participants were aware of their agency during contraceptive visits and how it varied in different experiences with providers and the healthcare system. Patient perspectives can help to inform measurement development and ultimately the delivery of care that supports contraceptive agency.

Attitudes Toward the Copper IUD in Sweden: A Survey Study

Background

While the efficacy and safety of the contraceptive copper intrauterine device (IUD) have been affirmed, alongside its importance for the prevention of unintended pregnancies, some studies have pointed to negative attitudes toward the device. In recent years, social media communication about it has included claims about systemic side effects, unsubstantiated by medical authorities. Research from the Swedish context is sparse. This study investigates attitudes toward the copper IUD and any correlations between negative attitudes toward or experiences of the device, and (1) sociodemographic characteristics, (2) the evaluation of the reliability of different sources of information, and (3) trust in healthcare and other societal institutions.

Methods

A survey was distributed online to adult women in Sweden (n = 2,000). Aside from descriptive statistics, associations between negative attitudes toward or experiences of the copper IUD and sociodemographic and other variables were calculated using logistic regressions and expressed as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Open survey responses (n = 650) were analyzed thematically.

Results

While many reported positive attitudes toward and experiences of the IUD, 34.7% of all respondents reported negative attitudes and 45.4% of users reported negative experiences. Negative attitudes were strongly correlated with negative experiences. Negative attitudes and experiences were associated with low income, but no conclusive associations were identified with other socioeconomic variables. Negative attitudes and experiences were associated with lower levels of confidence in and satisfaction with healthcare, as well as lower self-assessed access and ability to assess the origin and reliability of information about the IUD. In open responses, negative comments were prevalent and included references to both common and unestablished perceived side-effects. Respondents pointed to problematic aspects of information and knowledge about the copper IUD and called for improved healthcare communication and updated research.

Conclusion

Healthcare provider communication about the copper IUD should promote reproductive autonomy and trust by providing clear information about potential side effects and being open to discuss women's experiences and concerns. Further research on copper IUD dissatisfaction and ways in which health professionals do and may best respond to it is needed.

Background parenchymal enhancement in contrast-enhanced MR imaging suggests systemic effects of intrauterine contraceptive devices

OBJECTIVES

Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine contraceptive devices (LNG-IUDs) are designed to exhibit only local hormonal effects. There is an ongoing debate on whether LNG-IUDs can have side effects similar to systemic hormonal medication. Benign background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) in dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI has been established as a sensitive marker of hormonal stimulation of the breast. We investigated the association between LNG-IUD use and BPE in breast MRI to further explore possible systemic effects of LNG-IUDs.

METHODS

Our hospital database was searched to identify premenopausal women without personal history of breast cancer, oophorectomy, and hormone replacement or antihormone therapy, who had undergone standardized DCE breast MRI at least twice, once with and without an LNG-IUD in place. To avoid confounding aging-related effects on BPE, half of included women had their first MRI without, the other half with, LNG-IUD in place. Degree of BPE was analyzed according to the ACR categories. Wilcoxon-matched-pairs signed-rank test was used to compare the distribution of ACR categories with vs. without LNG-IUD.

RESULTS

Forty-eight women (mean age, 46 years) were included. In 24/48 women (50% [95% CI: 35.9-64.1%]), ACR categories did not change with vs. without LNG-IUDs. In 23/48 women (48% [33.9-62.1%]), the ACR category was higher with vs. without LNG-IUDs; in 1/48 (2% [0-6%]), the ACR category was lower with vs. without LNG-IUDs. The change of ACR category depending on the presence or absence of an LNG-IUD proved highly significant (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The use of an LNG-IUD can be associated with increased BPE in breast MRI, providing further evidence that LNG-IUDs do have systemic effects.

KEY POINTS

• The use of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine contraceptive devices is associated with increased background parenchymal enhancement in breast MRI. • This suggests that hormonal effects of these devices are not only confined to the uterine cavity, but may be systemic. • Potential systemic effects of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine contraceptive devices should therefore be considered.

"I never went to see that doctor again": A qualitative study examining Australian women's experiences requesting removal of LARC within 12 months of insertion

OBJECTIVES

Removal or discontinuation of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) requires cooperation of healthcare providers. The objective of this study was to explore young women's experiences when they request removal of LARC within 12 months of insertion.

METHODS

We conducted a qualitative study using individual semi-structured telephone interviews with women living in Victoria, Australia. We recruited participants using physical and online advertising flyers. We audio-recorded and transcribed interviews and thematically analysed the data.

RESULTS

Fifteen women participated in an interview. The experience of unacceptable side effects prompted "early" LARC removal in all cases. The non-autonomous nature of LARC removal was not considered by women pre-insertion and participants reported confidence in their ability to access LARC removal when requested. Although satisfaction was reported when LARC was removed on request, participants reported negative feelings towards their healthcare provider when there was perceived pressure to continue with LARC for longer than desired. This had implications for the patient-clinician relationship. Women experienced resistance to removal as a challenge to their bodily autonomy and this resulted in a loss of trust in health services.

CONCLUSION

Resistance to removal of LARC can damage the patient-clinician relationship and be experienced as a challenge to women's autonomy and reproductive rights.

IMPLICATIONS

Patients have confidence in their ability to get their LARC removed on request and autonomy is not largely considered prior to LARC initiation. Supportive removal services should be emphasised for women who request removal of LARC at any point after insertion in order to maintain trust in healthcare providers and health services.

Using Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to Access Google Data and Gain Insights Into Searches on Birth Control in Louisiana and Mississippi, 2014-2018: Infoveillance Study

Background

It is now common to search for health information online. A 2013 Pew Research Center survey found that 77% of online health seekers began their query at a search engine. The widespread use of online health information seeking also applies to women’s reproductive health. Despite online interest in birth control, not much is known about related interests and concerns reflected in the search terms in the United States.

Objective

In this study, we identify the top search terms on Google related to birth control in Louisiana and Mississippi and compare those results to the broader United States, examining how Google searches on birth control have evolved over time and identifying regional variation within states.

Methods

We accessed search data on birth control from 2014-2018 from 2 Google application programming interfaces (APIs), Google Trends and Google Health Trends. We selected Google as it is the most commonly used search engine. We focused our analysis on data from 2017 and compared with 2018 data as appropriate. To assess trends, we analyzed data from 2014 through 2018. To compare the relative search frequencies of the top queries across Louisiana, Mississippi, and the United States, we used the Google Health Trends API. Relative search volume by designated marketing area (DMA) gave us the rankings of search volume for each birth control method in each DMA as compared to one another.

Results

Results showed that when people searched for “birth control” in Louisiana and the broader United States, they were searching for information on a diverse spectrum of methods. This differs from Mississippi, where the data indicated people were mainly searching for information related to birth control pills. Across all locations, searches for birth control pills were significantly higher than any other queries related to birth control in the United States, Louisiana, and Mississippi, and this trend remained constant from 2014 to 2018. Regional level analysis showed variations in search traffic for birth control across each state.

Conclusions

The internet is a growing source of health information for many users, including information on birth control. Understanding popular Google search queries on birth control can inform in-person discussions initiated by family planning practitioners and broader birth control messaging campaigns.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

RR2-10.2196/16543

Awareness of the option of IUC self-removal among US adolescents

OBJECTIVE

To assess adolescent awareness of the safety of self-removal of intrauterine contraception (IUC) and explore associations with sociodemographic characteristics, IUC knowledge, and personal experience using an IUC.

STUDY DESIGN

We recruited women aged 15 to 20 years from 21 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. Participants completed an online survey assessing their communication with peers about contraception and knowledge and use of IUCs.

RESULTS

Few (11%, 95% CI 9%-13%) adolescents knew that IUC self-removal is safe, whether or not they had personally used an IUC (14% vs 8%, p = 0.01). Knowledge that IUCs do not protect users from sexually transmitted infections (99% vs 91%, p < 0.001) and that IUCs can be removed early (99% vs 88%, p < 0.001) was higher among adolescents who had used an IUC than those who had not. Knowledge that IUC use does not adversely affect fertility after IUC removal (86% vs 63%, p < 0.001) and that IUCs are more effective than birth control pills (82% vs 50%, p < 0.001) also differed by personal experience with an IUC. Awareness of the safety of IUC self-removal was not associated with overall knowledge of IUCs. However, adolescents who knew that IUCs are more effective than birth control pills were more likely to be aware of the safety of IUC self-removal (OR = 1.85, 95% CI 1.12-3.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Adolescent women in the U.S. possess incomplete knowledge of many important aspects of IUC use, and awareness of the safety of IUC self-removal is particularly low, even among those who have used an IUC.

IMPLICATIONS

Efforts to increase adolescent knowledge of IUC should include information about the safety of IUC self-removal in order to safeguard adolescents' reproductive autonomy.

Development of the Person-Centered Contraceptive Counseling scale (PCCC), a short form of the Interpersonal Quality of Family Planning care scale

OBJECTIVE

Person-centeredness is a critical component of quality in family planning. We previously validated an 11-item Interpersonal Quality of Family Planning (IQFP) scale. We sought to create a parsimonious version of the scale in preparation for testing its appropriateness as a patient-reported outcome performance measure.

STUDY DESIGN

To explore clarity and importance of each of the 11 items, we conducted English and Spanish cognitive interviews with patients who received contraceptive counseling (n = 33) at 3 publicly funded California clinics. We triangulated these results with psychometric analysis of previously collected IQFP data (n = 1097) to assess validity and reliability of selected item combinations.

RESULTS

The 11-item IQFP scale was reduced to a 4-item scale (the Person-Centered Contraceptive Counseling scale, or PCCC) that includes items evaluating provider performance regarding respect for patients, information provision, and eliciting and honoring patient preferences for birth control. Interview participants deemed the items included in the 4-item PCCC important and clear in both English and Spanish versions of the instrument. The 4-item PCCC retained the 11-item IQFP's psychometric properties, including internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.92 vs 0.97 for the PCCC and IQFP, respectively) and a consistent single factor analysis solution (factor loadings = 0.86-0.92 and 0.81-0.91). The 4-item PCCC additionally retained the construct and predictive validity of the IQFP.

CONCLUSIONS

The 4-item PCCC is a valid and reliable as a measure of person-centered contraceptive counseling that reflects patients' perspectives on contraceptive counseling.

IMPLICATIONS

Person-centered measures such as the 4-item PCCC can help inform efforts to improve health care quality. Future work will investigate the validity and reliability of the 4-item PCCC as a performance measure to determine the appropriateness of its use in the quality improvement context.

Meeting Women's Requests for Intrauterine Device and Contraceptive Implant Discontinuation: An Exploratory Survey of Physicians

Long acting reversible contraceptives (LARC), including intrauterine devices (IUDs) and contraceptive implants, can support an individual in meeting their reproductive goals by allowing them to prevent pregnancy effectively. These devices can also limit an individual's control over reproduction because they generally require an in-person visit to a health care provider for removal. Returning for another visit may be logistically challenging for many individuals who may need to arrange for transportation, childcare, or take time off from work. Effectively negotiating with a provider to request removal may be additionally challenging for medically underserved and disenfranchised people who may not feel empowered to do so. The objective of this study was to assess providers' willingness to honor patients' requests for IUD and contraceptive implant removal on the day of the request. A survey was conducted in which clinicians were presented with scenarios of women requesting IUD or implant removal. Clinicians were asked what they were most likely to do. A total of 105 clinicians were surveyed. The responses of 60 clinicians who inserted IUDs and 57 who provided the contraceptive implant were included in the analysis. When asked about same-day removal of an IUD or implant from a dissatisfied patient who requested removal, 40% stated they would remove the implant, and 57% stated they would remove the IUD on the day of the request. Findings from this study suggest many clinicians would be unwilling or unable to accommodate a patient's request for device removal at the time of their visit. This delay or refusal represents a significant barrier for patients and has implications for reproductive autonomy that should be further explored.

Effect of baseline menstrual bleeding pattern on copper intrauterine device continuation

BACKGROUND

Heavy menstrual bleeding is a leading cause of copper intrauterine device discontinuation. Thus, girls and women with heavy baseline menstrual bleeding may be at increased risk for early copper intrauterine device discontinuation.

OBJECTIVE

Our objective was to assess if there was an association between baseline menstrual bleeding pattern prior to intrauterine device insertion and discontinuation rate at 12 months among study participants who chose copper intrauterine device at baseline.

STUDY DESIGN

We performed a secondary analysis of the Contraceptive CHOICE Project, a prospective observational cohort study of 9256 girls and women offered no-cost contraception for 2-3 years. Included in our study were participants who chose copper intrauterine device for contraception and for whom method continuation data at 12 months were available. Prior to contraception initiation, participants were asked to qualify their menstrual bleeding over the past year as: light, moderate, moderately heavy, or heavy. Light bleeding corresponded to using ≤10 pads/tampons per period. Moderate, moderately heavy, and heavy bleeding corresponded to 11-20 pads/tampons, 21-30 pads/tampons, and >30 pads/tampons per period, respectively. Subjects were then categorized into either a "heavy" baseline group (those reporting moderately heavy or heavy bleeding at baseline), or a "not heavy" group (those reporting light or moderate bleeding). The 12-month continuation rate for each group was then calculated using Kaplan-Meier survival function, and hazard ratio for risk of discontinuation was evaluated using a Cox proportional hazard model to determine if moderately heavy or heavy bleeding at baseline was associated with early discontinuation.

RESULTS

Of the 918 girls and women meeting the inclusion criteria for this analysis, 165 were in the heavy baseline bleeding group, while 753 were in the not heavy bleeding group. The 12-month continuation rates for groups were similar: 80.2% (heavy) and 85.0% (not heavy; P = .24). Patients reporting either moderately heavy or heavy baseline bleeding were not at increased risk for early discontinuation of copper intrauterine device (hazard ratio, 1.21; 95% confidence interval, 0.88-1.66). Our sample size provided >90% power to detect a clinically important difference of 15% (assuming 20% discontinuation rate in not heavy bleeding group and a 35% discontinuation rate in the heavy bleeding group).

CONCLUSION

We did not find that girls and women who reported baseline moderately heavy or heavy menstrual bleeding were at increased risk for early discontinuation. Thus, we do not believe that girls and women with heavy menstrual bleeding should be discouraged from using this safe and highly effective form of contraception.

Pill, patch or ring? A mixed methods analysis of provider counseling about combined hormonal contraception

OBJECTIVE

In this study we aimed to investigate the content and process of contraceptive counseling surrounding combined hormonal contraceptive (CHC) methods (combined oral contraceptives, the ring, and the patch).

STUDY DESIGN

We performed a mixed methods analysis of data collected as part of the Patient-Provider Communication about Contraception study, in which reproductive age women and their providers were recruited at several San Francisco Bay Area clinics from 2009-2012. Participants completed pre- and post-visit surveys, and had their visits audio recorded and transcribed. We performed descriptive and bivariate analyses of the entire cohort to examine associations between demographic characteristics and pre-existing method preferences with method selection and counseling content, and coded transcripts of a subset of the sample for salient themes related to content and process of counseling about combined hormonal contraceptive methods using a directed content analysis approach.

RESULTS

The overall sample included 342 women, with 152 women (44%) having a preference for a specific CHC prior to their visit, 127 women (37%) had a preference for a non-CHC method, and 63 (18%) having no existing method preference. Of the women who reported preferring a CHC in their pre-visit survey, the majority (72%) chose that method. We found that women were inconsistently counseled about the range of CHC methods. For example, women who had no pre-visit method preference (52%) or who preferred the ring (54%) or the patch (73%) were more likely to receive comprehensive counseling about the three CHC methods than were women who preferred combined oral contraceptives (35%) or non-CHC methods (33%). Providers mentioned the patch the least often, and in qualitative analysis indicated discomfort with prescribing this method. Side effects and benefits of methods, as well as strategies to enhance successful use of the chosen method, were inconsistently discussed. In only 73% of visits in which a woman chose a CHC did the provider assess the patient's ability to use the chosen method correctly, and in 66% of all visits in which women chose a CHC method, providers discussed what to do if she was dissatisfied with the method.

CONCLUSIONS

Counseling about combined hormonal contraceptive methods often does not include information about all available methods, or comprehensive information about side effects, benefits, or logistics of use. As this counseling can impact patient's satisfaction with and continuation of their chosen method of contraception, future work should focus on designing interventions to improve providers' ability to meet patients' needs.

IMPLICATIONS

Short acting hormonal contraception is widely used, but counseling for these methods often neglects key features. Comprehensive counseling about all methods and their individual features can improve contraceptive selection and use.

Effect of Knowledge of Self-removability of Intrauterine Contraceptives on Uptake, Continuation, and Satisfaction

OBJECTIVE

Preference for control over use is a consideration in choosing a contraceptive method. Counseling women on the possibility of intrauterine device (IUD) self-removal may increase interest in the method. This study tests whether counseling on self-removability as a stated feature of IUDs affects uptake, satisfaction, and continuation.

STUDY DESIGN

We monitored clinic-level data on IUD uptake at clinics in Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, and Utah over 6 months. During the first 3 months, counselors provided standard contraceptive counseling. During the second 3 months, they added information about IUD self-removal. Women who initiated IUD use in both periods were recruited and asked to complete baseline and follow up surveys at 3 and 6 months after insertion. Among 361 women who had IUDs inserted during the study, we compared outcomes for women who did and did not receive information about self-removability during contraceptive counseling. We conducted descriptive analyses to test for differences by group and used logistic regression and survival analysis to assess discontinuation.

RESULTS

There were no differences in IUD uptake, satisfaction, or discontinuation by receipt of self-removal information. Those who did not receive information about self-removal were more likely to report considering discontinuing use of the IUD. One-third of participants who considered discontinuation faced barriers to IUD removal. Knowledge of self-removability before the study was high in both groups, reducing our ability to find group differences.

CONCLUSIONS

Counseling women on the possibility of self-removal may empower women when they face barriers to removal at facilities. More research is needed to understand whether knowledge of self-removal increases uptake and continuation.

Integrating Pregnancy Ambivalence and Effectiveness in Contraceptive Choice

Approximately 70% of pregnancies among young unmarried women living in the United States are unintended. Unintended pregnancy results in negative health and economic outcomes for infants, children, women, and families. Further research into the decision-making process of contraceptive selection is needed to meet young women's contraceptive needs in the United States. Overall, 53 women ages 18-24 years completed in-depth qualitative interviews. Researchers used analytical techniques from grounded theory and HyperRESEARCH 3.5.2 qualitative data analysis software to identify emergent themes. Problematic integration theory provided a theoretical lens to identify young women's probabilistic and evaluative orientations toward contraception. Researchers identified two profound values at stake to participants regarding their contraceptive decisions: avoiding pregnancy in the present, and protecting future fertility. Participants resisted long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) methods (e.g., the intrauterine device and the implant) due to concerns about safety and fears about infertility. Participants experienced ambivalence toward the idea of pregnancy, which complicated contraceptive decisions, especially regarding long-term methods. Uncertainty led participants to rationalize their use of less effective methods and reduced information seeking. Findings from this study offer practical suggestions for practitioners and health communication campaign planners. Contraceptive access campaigns should focus on the effectiveness, safety, and convenience of LARC methods. Messages should help young women make contraceptive choices that better fit their needs in order to reduce unintended pregnancy.

Medications to ease intrauterine device insertion: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Potential barriers to intrauterine device (IUD) use include provider concern about difficult insertion, particularly for nulliparous women.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to evaluate the evidence on the effectiveness of medications to ease IUD insertion on provider outcomes (i.e., ease of insertion, need for adjunctive insertion measures, insertion success).

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the PubMed database for peer-reviewed articles published in any language from database inception through February 2016.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that examined medications to ease interval insertion of levonorgestrel-releasing IUDs and copper T IUDs.

RESULTS

From 1855 articles, we identified 15 RCTs that met our inclusion criteria. Most evidence suggested that misoprostol did not improve provider ease of insertion, reduce the need for adjunctive insertion measures or improve insertion success among general samples of women seeking an IUD (evidence Level I, good to fair). However, one RCT found significantly higher insertion success among women receiving misoprostol prior to a second IUD insertion attempt after failed attempt versus placebo (evidence Level I, good). Two RCTs on 2% intracervical lidocaine as a topical gel or injection suggested no positive effect on provider ease of insertion (evidence Level I, good to poor), and one RCT on diclofenac plus 2% intracervical lidocaine as a topical gel suggested no positive effect on provider ease of insertion (evidence Level I, good). Limited evidence from two RCTs on nitric oxide donors, specifically nitroprusside or nitroglycerin gel, suggested no positive effect on provider ease of insertion or need for adjunctive insertion measures (evidence Level I, fair).

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, most studies found no significant differences between women receiving interventions to ease IUD insertion versus controls. Among women with a recent failed insertion who underwent a second insertion attempt, one RCT found improved insertion success among women using misoprostol versus placebo.

Interdependent Barriers to Providing Adolescents with Long-Acting Reversible Contraception: Qualitative Insights from Providers

STUDY OBJECTIVE

Long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods are the most effective form of reversible contraception but are underutilized by adolescents. The purpose of this study was to identify the context-specific barriers to providing adolescents with LARC that are experienced by pediatricians, family medicine physicians, and advanced practice nurses (APNs).

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, AND INTERVENTIONS

Pediatricians, family medicine providers, and APNs (n = 16) who care for adolescents participated in semistructured qualitative interviews. Interview data were analyzed using a modified grounded theory approach.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Pediatricians, family medicine physicians, and APNs self-reported attitudes and practices regarding LARC provision to adolescents.

RESULTS

Provider confidence in LARC, patient-centered counseling on LARC, and instrumental supports for LARC all work interdependently either in support of or in opposition to provision of LARC to adolescents. Low provider confidence in LARC for adolescents was characterized by confusion about LARC eligibility criteria and perceptions of LARC insertion as traumatic for adolescents. Patient-centered counseling on LARC required providers' ability to elicit patient priorities, highlight the advantages of LARC over other methods, and address patients' concerns about these methods. Instrumental support for LARC included provider training on LARC, access to and financial support for LARC devices, and opportunity to practice LARC insertion and counseling skills.

CONCLUSION

Although none of the identified essential components of LARC provision to adolescents exist in isolation, instrumental support like provider training on LARC and access to LARC devices have the most fundamental effect on the other components and on providers' attitudes and practices regarding LARC for adolescents.

A checklist approach to caring for women seeking pregnancy testing: effects on contraceptive knowledge and use

OBJECTIVE

To assess how a checklist reminding clinicians to deliver a bundled intervention affects contraceptive knowledge and use 3 months after women seek walk-in pregnancy testing.

METHODS

Pre-intervention, an inner-city family planning clinic provided unstructured care; during the intervention period, clinic staff used a checklist to ensure women received needed services. Women seeking walk-in pregnancy testing who wished to avoid pregnancy for at least 6 months were asked to complete surveys about their contraceptive knowledge and use immediately after and 3-months after visiting the study clinic. To assess the significance of changes over time, we used logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Between January 2011 and May 2013, over 1500 women sought pregnancy testing from the study clinic; 323 completed surveys (95 pre-intervention and 228 during the intervention period). With this checklist intervention, participants were more likely to receive emergency contraception (EC) (22% vs. 5%, [aOR 4.66 (1.76-12.35)], [corrected] have an intrauterine device or implant placed at the time of their clinic visit (5% vs. 0%, p=0.02), or receive a contraceptive prescription (23% vs. 10%, p<0.001). Three months after visiting the study clinic, participants from the intervention period were more knowledgeable about intrauterine and subdermal contraception and were more likely to report at 3-month follow-up a method of contraception more effective than the method they used prior to seeking pregnancy testing from the study clinic (aOR=2.02, 95% CI=1.03-3.96). The authors would like to apologize for any inconvenience caused. [corrected].

CONCLUSIONS

Women seeking walk-in pregnancy testing appear more likely to receive EC and to have switched to a more effective form of birth control in the 3 months following their visit when clinic staff used a 3-item checklist and provided scripted counseling.

IMPLICATIONS

A checklist reminding clinic staff to assess pregnancy intentions, provide scripted counseling about both emergency and highly-effective reversible contraception, and offer same-day contraceptive initiation to women seeking walk-in pregnancy testing appears to increase use of more effective contraception.

Contraceptive counseling: best practices to ensure quality communication and enable effective contraceptive use

Improving the quality of contraceptive counseling is one strategy to prevent unintended pregnancy. We identify aspects of relational and task-oriented communication in family planning care that can assist providers in meeting their patients' needs. Approaches to optimizing women's experiences of contraceptive counseling include working to develop a close, trusting relationship with patients and using a shared decision-making approach that focuses on eliciting and responding to patient preferences. Providing counseling about side effects and using strategies to promote contraceptive continuation and adherence can also help optimize women's use of contraception.