Awareness and Accessibility of Contraception [08I

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Our study sought to assess community member attitudes toward newly-acquired immediate postpartum long-acting reversible contraception (IPLARC) benefits and determine whether a lack of knowledge about contraception may be impacting their attitudes. Prior literature has extensively detailed contraceptive methods, impacts contraception has on at-risk populations, and inquiries regarding implementation of IPLARCs prior to inclusion under insurance benefits. Recently, studies from South Carolina and Georgia published proposals for implementation from provider and institutional perspectives, though no assessment of patient knowledge was conducted. METHODS: An electronic 8-question survey was administered to Western Michigan University School of Medicine (WMed) clinic visitors and data was recorded via REDCap database. Individuals ≥18 and <60 years of age and were English-speaking were included. This study was exempted by the WMed Institutional Review Board. RESULTS: 107 submissions were completed. 100% self-reported familiarity with and ability to explain to a friend ≥1 forms of contraception. 97.2% reported experience using ≥1 forms of contraception, with 42.06% either previously or currently using a LARC. However, only 22.43% responded they were interested in IPLARCs if they got pregnant, 63.55% said they were not interested, and 14.02% were uncertain as they had never been pregnant. CONCLUSION: Respondents were generally knowledgeable about and experienced with contraception and their low receptiveness towards IPLARCs unlikely stems from ignorance regarding contraception. Additional factors including health literacy, psychosocial factors, and prior experiences with contraception likely also impacted their attitudes. These should be further explored to best position patients to make informed decisions regarding their reproductive health.