P078Use of direct-to-consumer telemedicine companies for contraception among young adults

Abstract

<h3>Objectives</h3> A growing number of direct-to-consumer telemedicine companies, such as Nurx and Pandia Health, offer contraception without a traditional office visit, but little data exist describing their use among a general population. This study examines the prevalence and determinants of using telemedicine companies for contraception in a sample of sexually active young adults. <h3>Methods</h3> We collected survey data from May 2020 to May 2022 from individuals at risk of pregnancy aged 18–28 recruited at 29 community colleges in California and Texas (n=1,620 participants; 6,270 person-periods). We used multivariable mixed-effects logistic regression models with random effects for site and individual to assess whether participants used telemedicine companies for contraception by sociodemographic characteristics, state of residence, and oral contraceptive pill (OCP) use. <h3>Results</h3> Participants reported using a telemedicine company for contraception in 412 of 6,270 observations (6.6%). Participants were more likely to report using a telemedicine company if they were Asian/Pacific Islander (adjusted OR (aOR), 4.15; CI, 1.90–9.06) compared to Hispanic respondents; were Texas residents (aOR, 3.20; CI, 1.79–5.73) vs. California residents; and if they were OCP users (aOR, 6.35; CI, 4.25–9.48). We found no differences by health insurance status. Among telemedicine company users, almost all (91%) were very satisfied or satisfied with their experience and almost all (96%) reported that ordering contraception online was very convenient or convenient. <h3>Conclusions</h3> While relatively few young people used telemedicine companies for contraception, use varied by race/ethnicity and state of residence. Those who chose this alternative to traditional clinic visits reported high satisfaction levels.