Factors Associated With Provision of Long-Acting Reversible Contraception Among Adolescent Health Care Providers

Abstract

To identify provider and practice characteristics associated with long-acting reversible contraception (LARC, either progesterone contraceptive implants or intrauterine devices [IUDs]) provision among adolescent health care providers. We used data from a previously conducted survey of US providers on reproductive health to predict provision of any form of LARC as well as progesterone contraceptive implants or IUDs specifically using Chi-square and multivariate logistic regressions. One third of providers reported any LARC provision. In logistic regressions, residency training in obstetrics/gynecology or family medicine (rather than internal medicine/pediatrics) was the strongest predictor of LARC provision, particularly for IUDs. A minority of providers reported offering IUDs or contraceptive implants, most of whom had received procedural women's health training. Increasing the number of providers offering this type of contraception may help to prevent adolescent pregnancies and may be most easily accomplished via training in contraceptive implant provision.