Tailored intervention to increase dual-contraceptive method use: a randomized trial to reduce unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections

Abstract

The objective of the study was to determine whether a transtheoretical model-tailored expert system intervention increases dual-method contraceptive use, compared with a nontailored educational intervention. We performed a randomized clinical trial of 542 women at high risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancy. The intervention group received computer-based tailored feedback using a multimedia program. The control group received general contraceptive information and nontailored advice. Participants in the intervention group were more likely to report use of dual contraceptive methods during follow-up (adjusted hazard rate ratio 1.70, 95% confidence interval 1.09, 2.66), compared with controls. However, there were no differences in the rates of incident STI or unintended pregnancy between the 2 groups. The computer-based transtheoretical model-tailored intervention resulted in a 70% increase in reported dual-method contraceptive use in a group of women at high risk for STIs and unintended pregnancy. Inconsistent use of dual methods may explain the lack of effect on unintended pregnancy rates and incident STIs.