A survey of GP views in intra-uterine contraception

Factors associated with long-acting reversible contraception use among women Veterans in the ECUUN study

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study is to understand patient-, provider- and system-level factors associated with long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) use among women Veterans and with receipt of LARC methods within the Veterans Affairs (VA) system.

STUDY DESIGN

We analyzed data from a national telephone-based survey of 2302 women ages 18-44 receiving primary care in VA. Multivariable regression was used to examine adjusted associations of participant-reported patient-, provider- and facility-level factors with LARC use and within-VA receipt of LARC among women Veterans.

RESULTS

Among 987 women Veterans at risk of unintended pregnancy, 294 (30%) reported using LARC, 65% of whom had received their method within VA. Higher LARC use was observed among women who were multiparous vs. nulliparous [adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=1.52; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.04-2.22] and did not desire future pregnancies (aOR=1.88; 95% CI=1.31-2.68). Although overall LARC uptake was not associated with any provider- or facility-level factors, receipt of these methods within VA was associated with receiving both general and gender-specific health care by a single provider (aOR=2.81; 95% CI=1.20-6.61) and with receiving care within a women's health clinic (aOR=2.54; 95% CI=1.17-5.50).

CONCLUSIONS

While patient-level factors were more strongly correlated with use of LARC, provider- and system-level factors influence whether women received these methods within VA.

IMPLICATIONS

This study of patient-, provider- and system-level correlates of LARC use in VA, the country's largest integrated healthcare system, highlights that women Veterans share similar patient-level factors associated with LARC use as the general population and that continuity with providers and comprehensive women's health services can facilitate LARC access.

Impact of pay for performance on prescribing of long-acting reversible contraception in primary care: an interrupted time series study

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF), a major pay-for-performance programme in the United Kingdom, on prescribing of long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC) in primary care.

METHODS

Negative binomial interrupted time series analysis using practice level prescribing data from April 2007 to March 2012. The main outcome measure was the prescribing rate of long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC), including hormonal and non hormonal intrauterine devices and systems (IUDs and IUSs), injectable contraceptives and hormonal implants.

RESULTS

Prescribing rates of Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) were stable before the introduction of contraceptive targets to the QOF and increased afterwards by 4% annually (rate ratios  = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.03, 1.06). The increase in LARC prescribing was mainly driven by increases in injectables (increased by 6% annually), which was the most commonly prescribed LARC method. Of other types of LARC, the QOF indicator was associated with a step increase of 20% in implant prescribing (RR =  1.20, 95% CI =  1.09, 1.32). This change is equivalent to an additional 110 thousand women being prescribed with LARC had QOF points not been introduced.

CONCLUSIONS

Pay for performance incentives for contraceptive counselling in primary care with women seeking contraceptive advice has increased uptake of LARC methods.