Effect of a brief educational intervention on the attitudes of young women toward the intrauterine device

Abstract

Study Objective: The intrauterine device (IUD) is underused by young women, who are at high risk for unintended pregnancy. We aimed to assess the impact of a brief educational intervention on the attitudes of young women toward intrauterine contraception and to assess characteristics associated with a change in attitude. Design, Setting, and Participants: This is a planned sec- ondary analysis of a survey of 144 women, aged 14e24 years, which assessed attitudes toward the IUD. Intervention: The analysis was planned to fully examine the impact of a 3-minute educational intervention about the IUD given during administration of the survey, which in- cluded risks and benefits of IUD use, costs, side effects, and a demonstration of the IUD insertion and removal process. Main Outcome Measure: Proportions of participants with a positive attitude toward the IUD before and after the intervention were compared using McNemar's chi- square test for paired proportions. Factors associated with a change in attitude toward the IUD were evaluated using multivariable analysis. Results: Before the educational intervention, 14.7% (21/ 143) had both heard of the IUD and expressed a positive attitude toward it. After the intervention, this proportion increased to 53.8% (77/143) (P ! .01). The increase in pro- portion with a positiveattitudewas consistent for all subpop- ulations. In multivariable analysis, the only significant predictor of a positive change in attitude toward the IUD wasahistoryofvoluntarysexualactivity(adjustedoddsratio 10.3, 95% confidence interval 2.0e53.1). Conclusions: A brief educational intervention signifi- cantly improves the attitude of young sexually activewomen toward the IUD.