1
|
Harper CC, Yarger J, Mangurian C, Hopkins K, Rossetto I, Elmes S, Hecht HK, Sanchez A, Hernandez R, Shokat M, Steinberg JR. Mental Health Distress and Delayed Contraception Among Older Adolescents and Young Adults. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2024; 33:870-878. [PMID: 38465503 PMCID: PMC11302189 DOI: 10.1089/jwh.2023.0549] [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] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Symptoms of mental distress increased sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially among older adolescents and young adults. Mental health distress may make it more challenging for young people to seek other needed health care, including contraception. This study explored the association of symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress with delays in getting a contraceptive method or prescription. Materials and Methods: Data from a supplementary study (May 15, 2020-March 20, 2023) to a cluster randomized trial in 29 sites in Texas and California were used. The diverse study sample included community college students assigned female at birth of ages 18-29 years (n = 1,665 with 7,023 observations over time). We measured the association of depression (CES-D [Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale]) or anxiety and stress (DASS-21 [Depression Anxiety Stress Scales]) symptoms with delayed contraceptive care-seeking with mixed-effects multivariable regression with random effects for individual and site. We controlled for age and sociodemographic factors important for access to care. Results: Over one-third of participants (35%) reported they delayed getting the contraceptive method they needed. Multivariable regression results showed increased odds of delayed contraceptive care among participants with symptoms of depression (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.58, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.27-1.96). Likewise, delays were associated with anxiety and stress symptoms (aOR 1.46, 95% CI 1.17-1.82). Adolescents were more likely to delay seeking contraception than young adults (aOR 1.32, 95% CI 1.07-1.63). Conclusions: Results showed a strong association between mental distress and delayed contraception. Interventions are needed to increase contraceptive access for young people delaying care, along with supportive mental health care services, including for adolescents who face elevated odds of delay. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03519685.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia C. Harper
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Jennifer Yarger
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Christina Mangurian
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Kristine Hopkins
- Population Research Center, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Irene Rossetto
- Population Research Center, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Sarah Elmes
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Hannah K. Hecht
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Audrey Sanchez
- Population Research Center, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | | | - Mitra Shokat
- School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Julia R. Steinberg
- Department of Family Science, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zapata LB, Kortsmit K, Curtis KM, Romero L, Hurst S, Lathrop E, Acosta Perez E, Sánchez Cesáreo M, Whiteman MK. Continuation of Reversible Contraception Following Enrollment in the Zika Contraception Access Network (Z-CAN) in Puerto Rico, 2016-2020. Stud Fam Plann 2024; 55:105-125. [PMID: 38659169 PMCID: PMC11299421 DOI: 10.1111/sifp.12262] [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] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
The Zika Contraception Access Network (Z-CAN) provided access to high-quality client-centered contraceptive services across Puerto Rico during the 2016-2017 Zika virus outbreak. We sent online surveys during May 2017-August 2020 to a subset of Z-CAN patients at 6, 24, and 36 months after program enrollment (response rates: 55-60 percent). We described contraceptive method continuation, method satisfaction, and method switching, and we identified characteristics associated with discontinuation using multivariable logistic regression. Across all contraceptive methods, continuation was 82.5 percent, 64.2 percent, and 49.9 percent at 6, 24, and 36 months, respectively. Among continuing users, method satisfaction was approximately ≥90 percent. Characteristics associated with decreased likelihood of discontinuation included: using an intrauterine device or implant compared with a nonlong-acting reversible contraceptive method (shot, pills, ring, patch, or condoms alone); wanting to prevent pregnancy at follow-up; and receiving as their baseline method the same method primarily used before Z-CAN. Other associated characteristics included: receiving the method they were most interested in postcounseling (6 and 24 months) and being very satisfied with Z-CAN services at the initial visit (6 months). Among those wanting to prevent pregnancy at follow-up, about half reported switching to another method. Ongoing access to contraceptive services is essential for promoting reproductive autonomy, including supporting patients with continued use, method switching, or discontinuation.
Collapse
Grants
- CC999999 Intramural CDC HHS
- The CDC Foundation secured large-scale donations, offers of contraceptive products, support tools, and services from Bayer, Allergan, Medicines360, Americares and Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Merck & Co., Inc., Mylan, the Pfizer Foundation, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Church & Dwight Co., Inc., RB, Power to Decide (formerly The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy), Upstream USA, and Market Vision, Culture Inspired Marketing.
- Funding for the Z-CAN program via the CDC Foundation was made possible by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the Pfizer Foundation, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
- This data collection was funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lauren B Zapata
- Division of Reproductive Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341-3717, USA
| | - Katherine Kortsmit
- Division of Reproductive Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341-3717, USA
| | - Kathryn M Curtis
- Division of Reproductive Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341-3717, USA
| | - Lisa Romero
- Division of Reproductive Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341-3717, USA
| | - Stacey Hurst
- Division of Reproductive Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341-3717, USA
| | - Eva Lathrop
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Edna Acosta Perez
- Graduate School of Public Health, Medical Science Campus, University of Puerto Rico, PO Box 365067 San Juan, Puerto Rico 00936-5067, USA
| | - Marizaida Sánchez Cesáreo
- Graduate School of Public Health, Medical Science Campus, University of Puerto Rico, PO Box 365067 San Juan, Puerto Rico 00936-5067, USA
| | - Maura K Whiteman
- Division of Reproductive Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341-3717, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Rocca CH, Muñoz I, Rao L, Levin S, Tzvieli O, Harper CC. Measuring a Critical Component of Contraceptive Decision Making: The Contraceptive Concerns and Beliefs Scale. Matern Child Health J 2024; 28:847-857. [PMID: 38194129 PMCID: PMC11001673 DOI: 10.1007/s10995-023-03856-5] [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] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Concerns about safety and side effects from contraceptives are widespread and related to reluctance to use them. Measuring these concerns is an essential component of understanding contraceptive decision-making and guiding contraceptive and interpregnancy clinical care. METHODS We used qualitative research and item response theory to develop and test a psychometric instrument to measure contraceptive concerns and beliefs. We developed 55 candidate scale items and tested them among 572 adolescents and adults across nine California healthcare facilities in 2019-2020. We derived a 6-item scale and assessed differences by age and social determinants of health with multivariable regression. RESULTS In qualitative data, participants voiced both concerns and positive beliefs about contraception. Quantitative survey respondents were aged 21 years on average, and 24% were parous. Over half (54%) worried contraception has dangerous side effects, and 39% worried it is unnatural. The mean Contraceptive Concerns score, increasing with higher concerns, was 1.85 (SD: 1.00, range 0-4, α = 0.81). Items fit a partial credit item response model and met prespecified criteria for internal structure validity. Contraceptive use declined with increasing Concerns score (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] = 0.81 [0.72-0.92]). Scores were elevated among Black (mean: 2.06; aβ = 0.34 [0.09, 0.59]) and Multiracial or other race (2.11; aβ = 0.34 [0.02, 0.66]) respondents vs. White (1.66), but not Latinx respondents (1.81; aβ = 0.11 [- 0.11, 0.33]). Scores were also elevated among participants with lower maternal education (high school/Associate's 1.89 versus college 1.60; aβ = 0.28 [0.04, 0.53]). DISCUSSION The psychometrically robust Concerns instrument can be used in research to measure autonomous contraceptive decision-making and to design person-centered care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Corinne H Rocca
- Advancing Standards in Reproductive Health (ANSIRH), Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, Oakland, CA, USA.
| | - Isabel Muñoz
- Advancing Standards in Reproductive Health (ANSIRH), Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, Oakland, CA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Lavanya Rao
- Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Sara Levin
- Division of Public Health, Contra Costa Health, Martinez, CA, USA
| | - Ori Tzvieli
- Division of Public Health, Contra Costa Health, Martinez, CA, USA
| | - Cynthia C Harper
- Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Beumer WY, Roseboom TJ, Koot MH, Vrijkotte T, van Ditzhuijzen J. Carrying an unintended pregnancy to term and long-term maternal psychological distress: Findings from the Dutch prospective Amsterdam Born Children and their Development study. WOMEN'S HEALTH (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2023; 19:17455057231213737. [PMID: 38062674 PMCID: PMC10704944 DOI: 10.1177/17455057231213737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Given the estimated high rate of unintended pregnancies, it is important to investigate long-term effects on psychological distress in women carrying an unintended pregnancy to term. However, research into associations between unintended pregnancies carried to term and psychological distress postpartum is mixed, and especially, evidence on long-term associations is scarce. OBJECTIVE To examine whether carrying an unintended pregnancy to term is associated with maternal psychological distress later in life, up to 12 years postpartum. DESIGN This study is based on the population-based birth cohort study 'Amsterdam Born Children and their Development' study, which included pregnant people in 2003 (n = 7784) and followed them up until 12 years postpartum. METHODS Unintended pregnancy was measured as a multidimensional construct, based on self-reported data around 16 weeks gestation on pregnancy mistiming, unwantedness and unhappiness. Symptoms of maternal psychological distress were assessed around 3 months, 5 years and 12 years postpartum using multiple questionnaires measuring symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress. Multiple structural equation modelling models were analysed, examining the associations between dimensions of unintended pregnancy and maternal psychological distress per time point, while controlling for important co-occurring risks. RESULTS Pregnancy mistiming and unhappiness were significant predictors of more maternal psychological distress around 3 months postpartum. Around 5 years postpartum, only pregnancy mistiming was positively associated with maternal psychological distress. Dimensions of unintended pregnancy were no longer associated with maternal psychological distress around 12 years postpartum. Strikingly, antenatal psychological distress was a much stronger predictor of maternal psychological distress than pregnancy intention dimensions. CONCLUSION Those who carried a more unintended pregnancy to term reported more symptoms of psychological distress at 3 months and 5 years postpartum. People carrying an unintended pregnancy to term may benefit from extra support, not because of the pregnancy intentions per se, but because they may be related to antenatal psychological distress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wieke Y Beumer
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Tessa J Roseboom
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marjette H Koot
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Tanja Vrijkotte
- Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jenneke van Ditzhuijzen
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Social Policy and Public Health, Department of Interdisciplinary Social Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|