Birth Control Research Articles

Illegal treatment for immoral sex: abortion among single women in 1940s Shanghai

ABSTRACT Existing research on abortion in China has predominantly focused on its relationship with state intervention and reproductive control, framing abortion as a component of China’s evolving demographic and birth control policies. This article, however, argues that in the context of trials concerning single women’s abortion, issues of morality and sexuality were the central concerns for the parties involved. Young women, their lovers, and families often sought abortions to conceal instances of premarital sex, crafting narratives in court to safeguard familial reputation. Meanwhile, police and judges treated adultery as a basis for criminal conviction and imposing penalties. Drawing on case files from 1940s Shanghai, including police reports and trial records, this article examines single women’s experiences of abortion and the subsequent legal proceedings. Although the criminalisation of abortion in 1911 redefined the legal relationship between mother and foetus, participants in abortion trials continued to frame the practice through the lens of morally acceptable sexuality. In a period when the emerging nation-state was profoundly reshaping gender roles and moral codes, the heteronormative family persisted as the sole socially acceptable context for women’s sexual activity.

Book Review: From the movement for liberation of abortion and birth control to abortion pills

Book Review: From the movement for liberation of abortion and birth control to abortion pills

Care Leavers Into Parenthood: Support Needs and Effective Practice Approaches Through Transitions From Care

ABSTRACTThere is significant local and international evidence to show that young people transitioning from care have children by age 21 at far higher rates than the general youth population. Intergenerational child protection involvement is also far higher for this group. Conducting research with care leaver parents is challenging because of parental fears of child protection involvement and removal of their own children. Without participatory and engaging research approaches, the evidence base overall can omit the valuable perspectives of hardly reached groups. This paper presents findings from a novel approach to participatory research with ‘hard to reach’ or ‘hardly reached’ groups and is co‐authored by one of two ‘Lived Experience Consultants’ contributing to the study. Taking an ‘extrospective’ approach to inquiry, the lead author designed a data collection process that sought to increase the opportunity for Lived Experience Consultants to contribute to the project as subject matter experts, rather than research ‘subjects’. Care experienced parents' perspectives as Lived Experience Consultants in this research complemented findings from service providers reported elsewhere and illuminated critical practice‐based issues, creating barriers to pregnancy prevention and parenting support in Australia.

Acne Vulgaris Management: A Review of First-Line and Advanced Pharmacological Treatments

Introduction and objective: Acne vulgaris is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease affecting hair and sebaceous follicles, characterized by skin lesions most commonly appearing on the face. Several factors predispose individuals to the development of acne, including hormonal imbalances, genetic predisposition, and the use of certain medications. This review aims to evaluate and summarize first-line and advanced pharmacological treatments for acne vulgaris, highlighting their efficacy, safety, and emerging therapies for optimal management. Review methods: The literature review utilized databases covering sources from PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science using the search terms encompassing the following keywords: ‘acne vulgaris’ and ‘topical retinoid therapy’, ‘benzoyl peroxide’, ‘azelaic acid’, ‘topical antibiotics’, ‘oral antibiotics’, ‘contraceptive agents’, ‘antiandrogen therapy’, ‘isotretinoin’. Brief description of the state of knowledge: Current treatment methods range from topical therapies (i.e. antibiotics and retinoids) for mild cases to systemic medications (i.e. antibiotics, retinoids, and hormonal) for moderate to severe acne. In most cases, treatment should start with topical therapy. Summary: Early intervention is crucial to mitigate the risk of scarring and psychosocial consequences. Emerging therapeutic strategies have the potential to enhance treatment outcomes.

Mediums, Healers, and Rioters: Subversive Motherhoods in Nineteenth-century Spiritualist Culture

This article proposes an examination of non-normative redefinitions of motherhood in nineteenth-century spiritualist women’s writing. It focuses on naturopathic manuals published by female healers connected to the period’s Occult revival, observing the discussion of pregnancy, childbearing, contraception, and other culturally silenced subjects. Although spiritualist healing practices have already been explored within the field of Victorian studies by feminist historians, such investigations concentrate more on the socio-cultural aspects of spiritualist political activism, rather than commenting on the literary evidence of female participation in occultist obstetrics and natural gynecology. However, a comparative analysis of several spiritualist texts written by healing mediums would grant insight into the history of reproductive rights in nineteenth-century Britain and America. In order to do so, this study will first provide an overview of attitudes to voluntary motherhood in spiritualist culture, concentrating on debates about sexual consent and birth control in the period’s occultist press. This section is followed by an introduction to conflicts between female healers and male-dominated medical institutions, which often imposed patriarchal standards on gynecology and perinatal care. Such observations provide contextualization for the main section of this article, which deals with emancipatory reconsiderations of maternal experience in literary texts by three spiritualist mediums, noting how the authors used their esoteric beliefs as strategies of resistance against the male pathologization of pregnancy and childbirth in Victorian medicine. As this analysis intends to prove, spiritualist literature contributed to the improvement of maternal conditions, providing accessible and informed counseling regarding women’s sexual and reproductive health.

THE RESULTS OF A SOCIAL RESEARCH AMONG TEACHERS OF SCHOOLS IN THE ALMATY REGION REGARDING THE REPRODUCTIVE BEHAVIOR OF ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE

Background. Most young people have a complete understanding of the norms of moral and cultural values accepted in society; they, as a rule, know what adults want from them. However, personal requests and role models often come first. Schools are where students spend most of their active time. Therefore, it was decided to study the opinion of teachers on the reproductive behavior of adolescents and young people. Materials and methods. Materials: Own research – a sociological study of teachers of the Almaty region. The research methods are a cross-sectional study. School teachers were selected as the target group by random sampling. The study was conducted through a voluntary anonymous questionnaire. Results. The opinion of teachers of the Almaty region regarding the place of teachers in the moral, sexual and sexual education of students, the need to involve parents, who are a serious tool to convince adolescents to safer behavior, using family values and national and cultural characteristics of each cell of society, is determined. Teachers are confident that they should be important participants in the process of forming children’s responsible attitude to all issues of their health. At the same time, almost one in ten teachers believe that this is not a task for every teacher, but only for those whose subject is related to health issues. Most teachers avoid asking questions about sexual development, safe sexual behavior, and contraception. The prevailing opinion among teachers is that it is necessary to consider these issues in a special lesson on a healthy lifestyle. There is no consensus among teachers regarding their actions to ensure that children do not have a distorted idea of the relationship between the sexes, and they practice safe sexual behavior. Conclusions. Based on the analysis of the sociological research data and the conclusions obtained, recommendations in the field of early pregnancy and abortion prevention among the younger generation can contribute to the formation and strengthening of constructive and trusting relationships at school between key groups: teachers, parents, students.

Who is to blame for the ‘problem’ of teenage pregnancy? Narratives of blame in two South African communities

BackgroundThe framing of teenage pregnancy in social discourse influences the way in which adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) are treated, the extent to which they are supported, and to which they are able to engage with services and enact pregnancy prevention behaviours.MethodsThrough the analysis of data from a qualitative study conducted in the South African communities of Newcastle in KwaZulu-Natal and Moretele in the North-West province, we explored narratives of blame for teenage pregnancy. Data derived from seventy-one in-depth interviews conducted with forty AGYW aged between 15 and 24, twenty-four parents/caregivers of AGYW, five service providers, ten school educators, and two other community members. Interpretation of data drew upon blame, attribution and framing theories.FindingsThe overall framing of teenage pregnancy was overwhelmingly negative, with participants labelling it immoral and ‘wrong’. Findings were arranged into key thematic areas that emerged in the data relating to blame for teenage pregnancy: the individual centred ‘wrong-girl’ and developmental discourses, in which blame was apportioned to AGYW for being immature, reckless, irresponsible, disobedient and greedy; the ‘wrong-family’ discourse in which blame was attributed to parents of AGYW for poor parenting and failing to adequately care for the adolescents in their responsibility; the ‘wrong-men’ discourse in which blame was attributed to men for luring AGYW into transactional sex, and for perpetrating gender-based violence; and lastly the ‘wrong-society’ discourse which attributed blame to contextual/structural factors such as poverty, a high volume of unregulated drinking establishments, and a lack of youth-friendly services.ConclusionsPolicies, interventions and programmes focusing on adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health need to carefully consider the framing and narratives of blame and responsibility. There is an urgent need to shift away from the individualised moralistic shaming of pregnant AGYW, towards a recognition of a complex interplay of multilevel factors that enable or constrain AGYW’s agency. Policies and programmes should focus on both providing sufficient support to AGYW, while also addressing structural factors and harmful narratives and thus create the conditions necessary to enable AGYW to enact safe, informed, agentic and responsible decisions and behaviours about their own sexual and reproductive health.

One-month outcomes of a culturally tailored alcohol-exposed pregnancy prevention mobile app among urban Native young women: A randomized controlled trial of Native WYSE CHOICES.

The majority of alcohol-exposed pregnancy (AEP) prevention programs for Native women have focused on at-risk adult women residing in rural tribal communities; however, over 70% of the Native population resides in urban areas. Moreover, Native young women universally-regardless of risk status-may benefit from culturally tailored resources. We hypothesized that urban Native young women who engaged with Native WYSE CHOICES (NWC), a culturally tailored AEP prevention intervention delivered by mobile phone app, would report reduced risk of AEP at the 1-month follow-up compared to those who engaged with a comparison condition. From August 2021 to January 2023, we recruited 439 urban Native young women (ages 16-20) nationally to a randomized controlled trial administered fully virtually including most recruitment, data collection and intervention engagement. Participants were randomly assigned to the NWC app or an alternative app. We used linear and logistic regression analyses to predict scores on 1-month outcome variables by study arm assignment. Results of regression analyses predicting scores on 1-month outcomes by study arm showed trending intervention effects on measures of AEP knowledge (p = 0.06), alcohol use with sexual activity (p = 0.10), and an AEP risk index (p = 0.12). At 1-month follow-up, intervention group participants reported greater AEP knowledge, lower likelihood of alcohol-involved sexual activity in the past month, and lower scores on an AEP risk index compared to the comparison group. The NWC app produced trending changes in key areas of knowledge and behavior that may result in reduced AEP risk among urban Native young women. These findings suggest that the NWC app holds promise for addressing AEP in Native populations. Small changes in these areas may result in lifelong changes in the current generation that impact the health and wellbeing of generations to come.

An Investigation of Differing Effects of CBD for Menstrual-Related Symptoms Between Females Who Are and Are Not on Birth Control

An Investigation of Differing Effects of CBD for Menstrual-Related Symptoms Between Females Who Are and Are Not on Birth Control

Exploring Postpartum Pregnancy Prevention Behaviors Among Women Experiencing Homelessness: A Mixed-Methods Analysis.

Women experiencing homelessness are at higher risk of unintended pregnancy than women who are stably housed and may have unique reasons for not engaging in postpartum pregnancy prevention. This sequential explanatory mixed-methods study aimed to examine reasons women experiencing homelessness may not engage in pregnancy prevention during the postpartum period. Quantitative 2016-2019 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System data regarding postpartum pregnancy prevention among recently pregnant women experiencing homelessness and women stably housed (n=99,138) were analyzed with complex survey-weighted bivariate analysis. Primary outcomes included whether women engaged in postpartum contraception and key reasons for not engaging in postpartum contraception. Qualitative data from semistructured interviews with north Texas women (n=12) recently pregnant and homeless were coded and thematically analyzed. Findings were triangulated using a woman-centered conceptual framework that facilitates meeting reproductive goals. Women experiencing homelessness reported several statistically significant (P<.05) reasons for not using postpartum pregnancy prevention: currently pregnant, currently abstinent, cannot afford contraception, and partner not liking contraception. Key themes from interviews were related to internal factors (eg, perceived risk of pregnancy is high, current situation not good for having children); external factors (eg, my partner wants to have another child); perceptions of pregnancy (eg, children would be joyful, I want to get pregnant soon after I get housing), and salience of planning (eg, doesn't matter if we plan). Findings highlight several key reasons for not engaging in postpartum pregnancy prevention among women experiencing homelessness. Findings lay the groundwork for interventions seeking to support individualized and evolving sexual and reproductive health goals within the context of needed housing and family resources.

Knowledge of Ghana’s liberal abortion law and use of modern contraceptives among women of reproductive age

BackgroundModern contraceptives have been widely promoted as an effective tool for birth control. They are highly effective for preventing unintended pregnancies thereby reducing the risk of abortions, maternal morbidities, and mortalities. Abortion or planned abstinence from sexual intercourse may be perceived as alternatives to the use of modern contraceptives. The aim of this study was to assess whether knowledge of the legal status of abortion, and knowledge of the monthly fertile period, were associated with the use of modern contraceptives among women of reproductive age in Ghana.MethodsWe used nationally representative secondary data from the 2017 Ghana Maternal Health Survey. A weighted sample of 23,466 non-pregnant women aged 15–49 years were included in the study. Pearson chi-square and multivariable logistic regression analysis were conducted to assess the association between the independent and the outcomes variables. Sampling weight, cluster, and strata were applied at all levels of the analysis.ResultsMore than half (55.4%) lived in urban area, 80.1% were 20 years or older, 52.2% were multiparous women, 61.9% had secondary or higher education, and 34.5% were in the lower two wealth quintiles. We found no statistically significant association between knowledge of the legal status of abortion and use of modern contraceptives, or between knowledge of the monthly fertile period and use of modern contraceptives. Women with history of an induced abortion were 1.57 times as likely to use modern contraceptives compared to those with no history [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.57, 95% CI 1.41–1.75]. Each additional increase in knowledge of a different modern contraceptive method was associated with 1.25 times increase in modern contraceptive use (aOR 1.25, 95% CI 1.22–1.29).ConclusionsIntensifying education on modern contraceptive methods and use, especially at abortion facilities, may help improve the uptake of modern contraceptives among women in Ghana.

Using natural spline models to explore the trajectories of empirically derived domains of premenstrual symptoms.

Premenstrual symptoms are distressing and impairing for individuals and costly to society. These symptoms are heterogeneous within and across people, dimensional, and dynamic. While some efforts have been made to understand the trajectories of premenstrual symptoms, two major gaps in the literature remain. First, we lack understanding of the covariation among symptoms over the course of the menstrual cycle. Second, we know little about the trajectories of these symptoms and why symptoms might take different courses. To address these gaps, a sample of female undergraduates (N = 85) who reported no use of hormonal birth control and regularly occurring menstrual periods were recruited for a 4-month-long electronic daily diary study of premenstrual symptoms. We explored the covariation of symptoms over the cycle by conducting a multilevel exploratory factor analysis of the daily diary items. We identified six distinct but correlated symptom domains at the within-person level which were affective, cognitive, interpersonal, pain, and somatic. Next, we characterized the trajectories of each symptom domain using multilevel natural spline models and their first/second derivatives. Somatic symptoms increased/decreased more sharply and quickly than other symptom domains, pointing to a unique trajectory. Interpersonal and affective symptoms, on the other hand, were milder throughout. We demonstrated the importance of investigating the differences among symptom domain trajectories and underscored the need for future research to elucidate the unique mechanisms that underlie each trajectory. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Examining The Factors Affecting Women's Family Planning Attitudes and Perceived Barriers to Contraception Methods

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the factors affecting women's attitudes towards family planning and their perceived barriers to contraception methods. Method: This descriptive, cross-sectional and correlational study was conducted in a university hospital in Bursa with 382 women between October 2018 and October 2019. Data were collected with the Family Planning Attitude Scale and the Perception Scale of Barriers to Contraceptive Use. Results: The mean total scores of the Family Planning Attitude Scale and the Perception Scale of Barriers to Contraceptive Use were determined to be 115.4±39.7 and 78.1±41.7, respectively. The mean total score of the Family Planning Attitude Scale was found to be statistically significantly high in women lower who were 33 years of age or younger, married, graduated from high school or above, had a nuclear family, had a high-income level, lived in the city center, were aware of and used birth control methods, received counseling about birth control methods, and had a planned pregnancy. The total mean score of the Perception Scale of Barriers to Contraceptive Use was statistically significantly lower in these women (p

Web traffic and Google Trends data show increased interest in novel male contraception following the Supreme Court's Dobbs v. Jackson ruling.

Explore online public interest in male contraception in the United States after the Supreme Court's Dobbs v. Jackson ruling. We used Google Trends to examine relative search volumes for "male birth control" and observed the number of daily visits to two male contraception research websites during the weeks before and after the ruling. The mean relative search volume for "male birth control" more than doubled during the period after the ruling was publicized (p=0.002). Daily visits to both male contraception websites peaked immediately following the ruling. The overturning of federal abortion protections preceded a spike in United States public interest in male contraception.

P-528. Opportunities for PrEP Awareness and Engagement: A Survey among Healthcare-Seeking Cisgender Women in the US

Abstract Background Cisgender women comprise 19% of new HIV diagnoses and account for 8% of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) users in the US. These data highlight the need to close this gap, especially as new PrEP options, such as long-acting (LA) PrEP, are available. This study assessed PrEP awareness and interest among healthcare-seeking women. Methods Cisgender women participated in an in-person survey at four health clinics in Kentucky, Seattle, St. Louis, and Philadelphia between Oct–Dec 2022. Inclusion criteria included: age ≥18 years; penetrative sex in the past six months; unknown or negative HIV status. The survey covered demographics, sexual and reproductive health, healthcare engagement, and HIV prevention, including PrEP awareness and interest. Descriptive statistics were calculated using SAS v9.4. Results Among the 185 women completing the survey (median age: 28, women of color: 48%, single/dating: 69%), half (51%, n=95) had heard of daily oral (DO) PrEP, and 18% (n=33) had heard of LA PrEP prior to taking the survey; none were currently taking any form of PrEP. Regarding sexual practices, participants reported: no condom use during last sex (68%, n=126); ≥2 sexual partners in the last year (58%, n=108); ever received an HIV test (64%, n=119); STI diagnosis in the past two years (17%, n=32). Participants who saw a healthcare provider (HCP) in the past two years (n=174) reported discussing the following with their HCP: birth control (85%), sexual health (62%), STI testing (67%), and HIV testing (32%); only 5% of participants (n=9/185) reported ever discussing PrEP with an HCP. When asked about starting PrEP, 25% expressed interest in DO PrEP and 18% in LA PrEP. Among participants not interested in LA PrEP (n=104, 56%), the main reasons cited were: “I don’t need it” (60%) and “I don’t think that I am at risk for HIV” (55%). However, among women expressing interest in multiple PrEP options (n=42, 23%), 45% would choose to start LA PrEP over the other PrEP options provided. Conclusion PrEP awareness and usage remain considerably low in the US among cisgender women who may benefit from PrEP. Efforts to increase awareness of PrEP among women in the US are needed, and newer PrEP options may provide HCPs opportunities to discuss PrEP in conjunction with other sexual and reproductive health topics. Disclosures Tonia Poteat, PhD, MPH, PA-C, ViiV Healthcare: Grant/Research Support Supriya Sarkar, PhD, MPH, GSK: Stocks/Bonds (Public Company)|ViiV Healthcare: Full time employee Leigh Ragone, MS, GlaxoSmithKline: Stocks/Bonds (Public Company)|ViiV Healthcare: Full time employee Kyli Gallington, MPH, ViiV Healthcare: Advisor/Consultant Patrick Daniele, MS, GSK: Advisor/Consultant|ViiV Healthcare: Advisor/Consultant Karin S. Coyne, PhD, MPH, ViiV: Advisor/Consultant|ViiV: Grant/Research Support Vani Vannappagari, MBBS, MPH, PhD, GSK: Stocks/Bonds (Public Company)|ViiV Healthcare: Full time Employee|ViiV Healthcare: Stocks/Bonds (Public Company)

The Loss of a Physician's Freedom of Conscience Will Result in the Breakdown of Patient Autonomy Within the Doctor-Patient Relationship.

Editor's Note: Issues of conscience are of increasing importance in medicine, especially when it comes to the Catholic physician. Nearly fifteen years ago, this alarm was sounded regarding the connection between physician conscience and patient autonomy. First published Vol 76, No 4, November 1, 2009. The development of patient autonomy within healthcare has created new challenges in the physician-patient relationship. When a patient demands a service that violates the conscience of a physician, it creates conflict within that relationship. This has become particularly problematic when a patient demands abortion or artificial contraception and the physician is morally bound to refuse. This article argues that the integrity of the physician's conscience must be maintained in order to uphold the integrity of the patient's autonomy. If the physician is forced to violate his conscience, then the guarantee that a patient's desires and wishes will be respected will be lost because a great moral inequality will be created between the physician and the patient. To safeguard both the physician-patient relationship and the patient's autonomy, it is vital that the physician's conscience be protected.

Factors associated with male acceptance of modern contraceptive methods. A descriptive cross-sectional study in a peri-urban municipality

BackgroundMale knowledge and acceptance of modern contraceptive use play a significant role in uptake. This study assessed the factors associated with male acceptance of modern contraceptive methods in Ho Municipality.MethodsA cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach was employed. Systematic random sampling was used to select 503 participants from households with married men and women. A structured pre-tested questionnaire, including open-ended and closed-ended questions, was researcher assistant administered. Data analysis was conducted using STATA version 17.ResultsThe majority of the respondents identified that contraceptives are used to prevent pregnancy (91.19%), and also identified the following as birth control commodities: birth control pills (64.94%), female condoms (15.71%), intrauterine devices - IUDs (4.79%), and implants (4.21%). Factors such as affordability, employment status, income, and access significantly influenced male acceptance of contraceptives. The study revealed that men (84.67%) agreed with their partner to use contraceptives after sexual intercourse while only 37% agreed to use contraceptives before sexual intercourse. Among those who did not accept the use of modern contraceptives, the reason provided was the fear of side effects (65.13%). Men who find modern contraceptives affordable were more likely to use them (AOR = 8.15; 95%CI:3.49–19.02; p-value < 0.001). Also, unemployed men were less likely to use modern contraceptives (AOR = 0.14; 95%CI:0.044–0.44; p-value = 0.001). Men with lower income (50–900 cedis average monthly income level) were less likely to use modern contraceptives (AOR = 0.28; 95%CI:0.07–1.02; p-value = 0.05).ConclusionIncreasing interventions aimed at continuously reducing the cost of modern contraceptives is essential for improving male acceptance and the overall success of modern contraceptive use in other communities with low male involvement. The government, Healthcare agencies, community leaders, and family planning organizations should work together to actively intervene in lowering the cost of modern contraceptives to improve access by men.

A Review on Green Alternative : Herbal Contraceptive for Reproductive Health

One of the main strategies that appears to be successful in population management is human fertility control. Numerous potential techniques, such as hormonal and pharmacological ones, have been used to cause infertility. The traditional use of medicinal plants and their extracts to treat a variety of illnesses, including issues connected to fertility, is now well known in society. Herbal antifertility medications, which can impede a woman's natural reproductive process, have gained importance in the context of women's health. The utilisation of different plant extracts with antifertility effects in different ways is part of current study. Several animal models have been used to examine the contraceptive properties of various plants. Even in remote areas, these herbal contraceptives are inexpensivereadily accessible, and environmentally beneficial.

Patterns of Hormonal Contraceptive Utilization Among Women with Retroviral Disease Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy at a Referral Hospital in Kenya

Understanding the intricate interplay between hormonal contraceptive utilization and the unique healthcare needs of women with retroviral disease on antiretroviral therapy is of paramount importance in ensuring effective family planning strategies and optimal health outcomes. This research examined the patterns of hormonal contraceptive usage among this specific demographic within the setting of a referral hospital in Kenya, shedding light on the factors influencing choice, preferences, and the broader implications for reproductive health. A cross-sectional retrospective study design was employed for this study, conducted at the Comprehensive Care Centre of Nakuru County Referral and Teaching Hospital in Kenya. The Taro Yamane formula determined the sample size, yielding 226 participants. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire validated through a pilot study, employing random sampling. Data was protected, monitored, and analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Chi-squared test, with ethical considerations in place. The sociodemographic characteristics of participants were analyzed. Most were aged 35-39, married, self-employed, and had at least secondary education. Public hospitals were the primary source of contraceptives. Pregnancy prevention was the main reason for hormonal contraceptive use. Injectable contraceptives were preferred (37%), followed by implants (31.9%) and IUDs (15.7%). Notable association between employment status and use of specific contraceptives (P-value=0.007175) was found to be statistically significant. Further, there was a statistically significant association between ease of availability of implants (P-value=0.02), ease of use of injectables (P-value=0.05), and fewer side effects of IUDs (P-value=0.00) and their preference. We recommend emphasizing postpartum contraception services, ensuring contraceptive availability in public hospitals, promoting long-acting reversible contraceptives, and providing tailored counseling and education to empower women's informed choices.

Abortion and contraception within prison health care: a qualitative study

BackgroundAlthough abortion was completely decriminalized in Canada 36 years ago, barriers to pregnancy prevention and termination persist across the country, such as travel and information gaps. Research demonstrates incarcerated people face barriers to family planning care, yet there is no systematic data collection of sexual and reproductive health experiences and outcomes among incarcerated people in Canada. The aim of this study was to explore family planning care experiences among women and gender diverse people who have experienced incarceration in Canada.MethodsWe conducted a qualitative community-based research study using focus groups for data collection and reflexive thematic analysis to generate key themes. Our study team included members with lived experience of incarceration. We conducted recruitment in partnership with community organizations. We asked about accessing abortion and contraception while incarcerated and on release.ResultsWe conducted six focus groups with 35 recently incarcerated participants. Five themes emerged: (1) Competing health needs; (2) Institutional barriers to care; (3) Mistreatment and unethical care; (4) Health knowledge gaps; and (5) Challenges to care-seeking in community.ConclusionPeople in prison experience concurrent unmet health needs that crowd out sexual and reproductive health. Prison procedures and perceived unethical professional behaviours impinge care-seeking. Information about abortion and contraception is not readily available in prison. Barriers to care persist upon release. Family planning professionals may improve care for people who experience incarceration by recognizing concurrent mental health needs; anticipating impact of prior negative experiences on care-seeking; challenging limitations to health education in prison; and addressing post-release challenges for patients.