Postpartum Contraceptive Use Research Articles

Cost sharing, postpartum contraceptive use, and short interpregnancy interval rates among commercially insured women

Increasing access to effective birth control after childbirth may meet many women's preferences and reduce short interpregnancy interval rates. Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for contraception has been reported to increase the use of the most effective methods among women with employer-based insurance, but the prevalence and effects of patient cost sharing for contraception have not been studied during the postpartum period. This study aimed to examine the association between cost sharing for long-acting reversible contraception and postpartum contraception use patterns and pregnancies in the 12 months after delivery. We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of commercially insured women undergoing childbirth from 2014 to 2018 using Optum's (Eden Prairie, MN) de-identified Clinformatics Data Mart database. This large national database includes nonretired employees and their dependents who are enrolled in health insurance plans sponsored by large- or medium-sized US-based employers. Women with 12 months of continuous enrollment postpartum were included. Childbirth, pregnancy, and contraceptive method (female sterilization, long-acting reversible contraceptives, other hormonal methods, and no prescription method observed) were identified using claims data. Contraceptive use patterns were observed at 3, 6, and 12 months postpartum and adjusted for individual and plan characteristics. Median out-of-pocket costs were $0 for sterilization and other hormonal methods but nonzero for long-acting reversible contraception. We therefore used simple and multivariable logistic regressions to examine the association between plan-level cost sharing (no cost sharing, $0; low cost sharing, >$0-<$200; and high cost sharing, ≥$200 out-of-pocket cost) for any long-acting reversible contraceptive insertion and contraceptive use patterns and short interpregnancy interval rates, controlling for age, household income, race and ethnicity, region, and insurance plan type. Among 25,298 plans with cost sharing data, we identified 172,941 women with continuous enrollment for 12 months postpartum, including 82,500 (47.7%) in no cost sharing, 22,595 (13.1%) in low cost sharing, and 67,846 (39.2%) in high cost sharing plans. The percentage of postpartum women in the study sample using any prescription contraceptive method was 39.5% by 3 months, 43.8% by 6 months, and 46.0% by 12 months. At all time points, postpartum women in no cost sharing plans had a higher predicted probability of long-acting reversible contraceptive use (eg, at 12 months: no cost sharing, 22.0%; low cost-sharing, 17.5%; high cost sharing, 18.3%; P<.001) and a lower predicted probability of no prescription method use (eg, at 12 months: no cost sharing, 51.8%; low cost sharing, 55.0%; high cost sharing, 54.9%; P<.001) than those in low or high cost sharing plans. Predicted probabilities of female sterilization and other hormonal method use did not differ substantively by plan cost sharing for long-acting reversible contraception at any time point. The proportion of women experiencing a short interpregnancy interval was low (1.9% by 3 months, 1.9% by 6 months, 2.0% by 12 months) and did not differ by plan cost sharing for long-acting reversible contraception at any time point. Out-of-pocket costs for long-acting reversible contraception influence the method of contraception used by postpartum women with employer-based insurance. Eliminating financial barriers to long-acting reversible contraception access after childbirth may help women initiate their preferred method and increase the use of long-acting reversible contraceptives among interested women who otherwise might utilize less effective methods.

The Effect of Improved Access to Family Planning on Postpartum Women: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BackgroundThe World Health Organization recommends that a woman waits at least 24 months after a live birth before getting pregnant again; however, an estimated 25% of birth intervals in low-income countries do not meet this recommendation for adequate birth spacing, and the unmet need for postpartum family planning (PPFP) services is high. Few randomized controlled trials have assessed the causal impact of access to PPFP services, and even fewer evaluations have investigated how such interventions may affect postpartum contraceptive use, birth spacing, and measures of health and well-being.ObjectiveThis protocol paper aims to describe a randomized controlled trial that is being conducted to identify the causal impact of an intervention to improve access to PPFP services on contraceptive use, pregnancy, and birth spacing in urban Malawi. The causal effect of the intervention will be determined by comparing outcomes for respondents who are randomly assigned to an intervention arm against outcomes for respondents who are randomly assigned to a control arm.MethodsMarried women aged 18-35 years who were either pregnant or had recently given birth were randomly assigned to either the intervention arm or control arm. Women assigned to the intervention arm received a package of services over a 2-year intervention period. Services included a brochure and up to 6 home visits from trained family planning counselors; free transportation to a high-quality family planning clinic; and financial reimbursement for family planning services, consultations, and referrals for services. Two follow-up surveys were conducted 1 and 2 years after the baseline survey.ResultsA total of 2143 women were randomly assigned to either the intervention arm (n=1026) or the control arm (n=1117). Data collection for the first follow-up survey began in August 2017 and was completed in February 2018. A total of 1773 women, or 82.73% of women who were eligible for follow-up, were successfully contacted and reinterviewed at the first follow-up. Data collection for the second follow-up survey began in August 2018 and was completed in February 2019. A total of 1669 women, or 77.88% of women who were eligible for follow-up, were successfully contacted and reinterviewed at the second follow-up. The analysis of the primary outcomes is ongoing and is expected to be completed in 2021.ConclusionsThe results of this trial seek to fill the current knowledge gaps in the effectiveness of family planning interventions on improving fertility and health outcomes. The findings also show that the benefits of improving access to family planning are likely to extend beyond the fertility and health domain by improving other measures of women’s well-being.Trial RegistrationAmerican Economics Association Registry Trial Number AEARCTR-0000697; https://www.socialscienceregistry.org/trials/697 Registry for International Development Impact Evaluations (RIDIE) Trial Number RIDIE-STUDY-ID-556784ed86956; https://ridie.3ieimpact.org/index.php?r=search/detailView&id=320International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/16697

Effect of integrating postpartum family planning into the health extension program in Ethiopia on postpartum adoption of modern contraception

Background Ethiopia has large unmet need for contraception among postpartum women. Community-level services may improve postpartum contraceptive use in Ethiopia and other contexts where home childbirth is common. This study estimated the additional effect of systematically integrating messages on postpartum family planning (PPFP) into community contacts with pregnant and postpartum women, on top of integrated facility contacts. Methods The quasi-experimental study was conducted in two districts in Oromia Regional State and used a controlled trial design with random assignment of primary health care units—a health center and surrounding health posts—to intervention and comparison arms. We used the log-rank test and fitted a multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model to estimate the adjusted hazard ratio (adjHR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for differences in contraceptive uptake by arm. Time from delivery to uptake of modern contraception was the outcome variable. We separately analyzed subsets of women by place of delivery, as this variable interacts with the study arm. Results A total of 772 pregnant women were enrolled February–March 2017 and re-interviewed 15 months later (May 2018). Loss to follow-up was 10% in intervention, 7% in comparison areas. Among women who delivered at home, there was higher PPFP adoption by one year postpartum in the intervention arm (35.2%, 95% CI: 28.8–42.4%) versus comparison arm (27.8%, 95% CI: 22.2–34.4%). In the adjusted Cox regression model, women who delivered at home in the intervention arm were 45% more likely to adopt contraception (adjHR1.45, CI: 1.01–2.07). There was no difference by arm for women who delivered in a facility. Conclusions Integrating PPFP into community-level services for pregnant and postpartum women and infants may have additional benefit on top of PPFP services at facilities. The intervention benefited women who delivered at home, an important target population in countries like Ethiopia, where many women do not deliver in a facility. This study, implemented under real world conditions, informs the PPFP body of evidence and fills a gap in research on the contribution of community-based PPFP in contexts where services are integrated within maternal, newborn, and child health care in facilities.

The effect of an educational video on long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) utilization at 6-8weeks postpartum period: a randomized controlled trial.

Long-acting reversible contraception is highly effective in preventing unintended pregnancy and unsafe abortion. An educational video administered during early postpartum period might be an effective tool to improve postpartum LARC use. The objectives were to evaluate whether a postpartum educational video about LARC could increase postpartum LARC utilization at 6-8weeks postpartum and to assess why postpartum women did not receive LARC. This randomized-controlled trial was conducted at the postpartum unit of a university Hospital between August 2016 and February 2017. Postpartum women who were aged > 20years and willing to participate were recruited. Participants allocated to the study group watched the 7-min educational video on LARC methods while the control group did not. To assess LARC utilization, data were collected at 6-8weeks postpartum using telephone calls and/or medical record review to determine postpartum contraception use and reasons for not using LARC. Two-hundred and seventy participants were enrolled, and the video (135) and non-video (135) groups had similar baseline characteristics. In the video group, 57.8% (95% CI 49.0-66.2) reported using a LARC method, compared to 25.9% (95% CI 18.8-34.2) in the non-video group (p < 0.05). The reasons for not using LARC in both groups were inconvenience of access (42.0-43.8%) and uncertainty about methods (17.0-24.6%). The educational video introduced at immediate postpartum period was efficacious in increasing the utilization of LARC at 6-8weeks postpartum. Inconvenience of access was the most common reason cited for not using LARC. Clinicaltrials.in.th TCTR20171225001 "retrospectively registered".

Postpartum and post-abortion contraceptive use among unmarried young women in Ghana.

Pregnancy outcomes impact subsequent contraceptive behaviour. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between previous pregnancy outcomes and subsequent contraceptive behaviours among unmarried young women intending to delay childbearing. Using data from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey, among 1118 sexually experienced, fecund and non-pregnant unmarried women aged 15-24 years, the study assessed how childbirth and abortion are related to sexual abstinence and use of modern contraception. While about 70% of unmarried young women were nulligravid, approximately 11% had had an abortion and 18.2% were postpartum. The majority of respondents were sexually abstinent while 21% and 27% were using and not using contraception, respectively. Postpartum women were more likely than nulligravid and post-abortion women to use contraceptives. Post-abortion women were least likely to be sexually abstinent. Number of years since the respondent's sexual debut was positively associated with the likelihood of using modern contraception, particularly among postpartum women, and negatively associated with sexual abstinence among those who had aborted. The findings show that prior pregnancy outcomes have significant implications for secondary abstinence and contraceptive use among unmarried young women in Ghana. Post-abortion women are more likely than postpartum women to be sexually active but less likely to use contraceptives. Efforts must be strengthened towards increasing access to modern contraceptives for young women who present for abortion in Ghana.

A Population-Based Study of Factors Associated with Postpartum Contraceptive Use by Birth Interval Length.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate factors associated with postpartum contraceptive use among women with short and moderate-to-long birth intervals using population-based data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment and Monitoring System. Because only Mississippi and Tennessee include a question about birth interval length on their Pregnancy Risk Assessment and Monitoring System survey, this analysis was limited to women from those states who reported information on this variable (N = 2198). Demographic, lifestyle, and reproductive data, including information on postpartum contraceptive use, were obtained from surveys and birth certificates. Logistic regression was used to obtain odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Nearly 90% of women reported currently using a form of contraception during the postpartum period. In the unadjusted model, among women with short birth intervals, there was no association between alcohol consumption during pregnancy and postpartum contraceptive use (OR 1.03, 95% CI 0.15-7.31); however, smoking during pregnancy was associated with a decreased odds of postpartum contraceptive use (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.25-1.96). Among women with moderate-to-long birth intervals, alcohol use during pregnancy was associated with a decreased odds (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.28-1.80) and smoking during pregnancy was associated with an increased odds (OR 1.18, 95% CI 0.60-2.30) of postpartum contraceptive use. Regardless of birth interval length, women with no health insurance had a decreased odds of postpartum contraceptive use when compared with women with health insurance (short birth interval: OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.32-2.49 and moderate-to-long birth interval: OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.52-1.39). Among women with short birth intervals, non-Hispanic black women had a decreased odds of postpartum contraceptive use (OR 0.14, 95% CI 0.03-0.64) and women who were unmarried or had a history of preterm delivery had an increased odds of postpartum contraceptive use (unmarried: OR 5.81, 95% CI 1.26-26.69 and preterm delivery: OR 4.19, 95% CI 1.42-12.37, respectively) after adjustment for confounders. Among women with moderate-to-long birth intervals, individuals who identified as Hispanic/mixed race/other had a statistically significant decreased odds of postpartum contraceptive use after adjustment (OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.18-0.99). Findings underscore the importance of postpartum medical visits for all women, regardless of birth interval length. Certain groups of women may need additional counseling regarding the importance of using contraceptives to prevent another closely spaced or unintended pregnancy.

Determinants contraceptive use after labor in Parepare (comparison between health and health Cempae Lompoe)

This study aims to analyze the determinants of postpartum contraceptive use in Parepare (comparison between community health centers and clinics Cempae Lompoe). The design of this study is cross-sectional. Interviews conducted on 164 mothers of infants aged 0-6 months around community health centers Cempae and Lompoe. Data analyze using Chi-square and logistic regression. The factors influenced the use of contraception postpartum were age (p=0.000 and p=0.005), education (p=0.012), knowledge (p=0.043), parity (p=0.006 and p=0.031) and husband's support (p=0.015). After logistic regression analysis obtained parity and education are the variables that most influence on postpartum contraceptive use. Health workers need to provide and improve family planning counseling during antenatal care.

Exploring the relationship between spousal violence during pregnancy and subsequent postpartum spacing contraception among first-time mothers in India.

BackgroundThere is a growing body of research exploring how intimate partner violence affects contraceptive decision-making, recognizing that these decisions are reflective not only of access and acceptability, but also spousal power imbalances. Unfortunately, there is a dearth of knowledge regarding contraceptive choices following gender-based violence during pregnancy. There are an estimated 7·8 million in India affected by violence during pregnancy, and an ongoing, heavy reliance on female sterilization as the dominant form of contraception. This study examines the relationship between abuse during pregnancy and subsequent postpartum spacing contraception in India.MethodsThis analysis used cross-sectional, nationally representative data from first-time mothers of children aged 6–48 months in India. Multinomial regression models assessed relationships between spousal physical violence during pregnancy and postpartum spacing contraception (none, female-controlled, male-controlled).FindingsTwo percent of first-time mothers (2·4%) reported spousal physical violence while pregnant. Women who reported abuse during pregnancy were less likely to subsequently use male-controlled contraception than no contraception (adjusted relative risk ratio [aRRR]=0·3, 95% CI 0·1–0·8; p = 0·02) and more likely to use female-controlled vs. male-controlled spacing contraception (aRRR=7·5, 95% CI 2·1–25·4, p<0·01).InterpretationWomen who experience spousal abuse during pregnancy have different postpartum contraceptive use patterns. The unique needs of this population should be incorporated into antenatal and postpartum contraceptive counseling. Efforts to increase spacing contraception use in India must consider experiences of gender-based violence and coercion.FundingThis work was supported by the 10.13039/100000865Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation [OPP1179208, PI: Raj]. Funders had no role in the design, analysis or interpretation of this research.

Modern contraceptive use and factors associated with use among postpartum women in Ethiopia; further analysis of the 2016 Ethiopia demographic and health survey data

BackgroundThe postpartum period is a critical time to improve maternal and child health. It is a time for accessing contraceptives to prevent short inter-pregnancy intervals. More than 95% of postpartum women do not want to get pregnant within 12 months. However, many women in Ethiopia experience an unintended pregnancy, and there is low information about postpartum contraceptive use among women who have family planning demand. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the prevalence of postpartum contraceptive use and its predictors among women who give birth 12 months before the survey in Ethiopia.MethodsWe used the 2016 Ethiopia demographic health survey data for this analysis. The survey was a community-based cross-sectional study conducted from January 18 to June 27, 2016. The survey employed a two-stage stratified cluster sampling technique. A total of 2304 postpartum women were included. Bivariate and multivariable logistics regressions were done to identify factors associated with postpartum contraceptive use. A p-value < 0.05 was used to declare statistical significance.ResultsAbout 23.7% (23.7, 95% CI: 20.7–27.0%) of postpartum women were using modern contraceptives. Women who were urban residents (AOR = 2.18; 95%CI: 1.34–3.55), those who attended secondary or higher education (AOR = 1.79; 95%CI: 1.04–3.10), women who attended 1–3 (AOR = 2.33; 95%CI:1.27–4.25) or 4 or more ANC visits (AOR = 2.59; 95%CI:1.43–4.69) and women who delivered at a health facility (AOR = 1.86; 95%CI: 1.23–2.81) had higher odds of modern contraceptive use during the postpartum period. Similarly, women who reported the last child was no more wanted (AOR = 1.83; 95%CI: 1.01–3.31), women who decided for contraceptive use (AOR = 2.03; 95%CI: 1.13–3.65) and women whose recent child was male (AOR = 1.38; 95%CI: 1.01–1.88) had higher odds of modern contraceptive use.ConclusionPostpartum contraceptive use was low in Ethiopia. Strengthening health facility delivery, promoting girls’ education and encouraging women’s participation in deciding for contraceptive use would improve the uptake of modern contraceptives use during the postpartum period.

Differences in Postpartum Contraceptive Use in Patients Delivered by Academic Versus Private Hospitalists [09J

INTRODUCTION: Research has shown that women discharged postpartum without a contraception plan are significantly more likely to have a suboptimal interpregnancy interval. There is a lack of evidence examining the differences in postpartum contraception rates in patients treated by an academic hospitalist versus a private hospitalist. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was completed examining women who delivered at a community hospital under the care of the hospitalist service surrounding a transition from a private to academic hospitalist service. Institutional Review Board approval was obtained. Records were collected for deliveries during six months in 2018. The primary outcome was postpartum women discharged without a contraceptive plan. Data was compared using a chi-square test. Relative risks with 95% confidence intervals were calculated. RESULTS: 245 patients were delivered by a private physician and 447 patients were delivered by an academic physician. Patients delivered by an academic physician chose not to receive any contraception less often than patients delivered by a private physician (24% vs 32%: relative risk [RR] 0.67, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.47-0.95]). Those delivered by an academic physician chose to receive long-acting reversible contraception more often than those delivered by a private physician (11% vs 1%: RR 9.48 [CI 2.92-30.79]). There was no difference in receiving a bilateral tubal ligation (1% vs 2%: RR 0.82 [CI 0.23-2.93]) or user-dependent contraception between the two groups (64% vs 65%: RR 0.96 [CI 0.69-1.33]). CONCLUSION: Postpartum patients receiving care from an academic laborist were more likely to have a contraception plan at discharge and to desire long-acting reversible contraception.

Postpartum Contraceptive Use Among Denver-Based Adolescents and Young Adults: Association with Subsequent Repeat Delivery.

To determine the association of postpartum contraceptive use with repeat deliveries among adolescents and youth. Retrospective, observational analysis of electronic health record data. Single, urban facility in Denver, Colorado, United States. Women aged 10-24years who gave birth between January 1, 2011 and December 31,2015. Postpartum contraceptive use and time to subsequent delivery. Among 4068 women, 1735 (43%) used postpartum contraception. In adjusted analyses, characteristics associated with contraceptive use included Hispanic ethnicity (relative risk [RR], 1.1; P=.03), incremental prenatal visits (RR, 1.01; P=.047), and attendance at postpartum care (RR, 1.60; P<.001). Long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) use was higher among women younger than 15years (reference: 20-24years; RR, 1.12; P<.001) and lower among women aged 18-19years (RR, 0.93; P=.009). Hispanic women had higher rates of LARC use than non-Hispanic women (RR, 1.07; P=.02). Compared with inpatient LARC placement, outpatient placement (1-4weeks and 5 or more weeks) rates were lower (RR, 0.77 and RR, 0.89, respectively; P<.001). Time to subsequent delivery was shorter in non-LARC users (median, 659days) and contraception nonusers (median, 624days) compared with LARC users (median, 790days; P<.001); non-LARC postpartum contraceptive use did not significantly alter time to repeat delivery compared with that in women who used no method (P=.24). Postpartum LARC use reduced the risk of repeat pregnancy with a significant increase in time to the next delivery. Non-LARC use was not different from no contraceptive use in terms of time to repeat delivery.

Psychosocial Factors Associated With Postpartum Contraceptive Method Use After an Unintended Birth.

To examine whether depression, intimate partner violence, and other psychosocial stressors were independently associated with effectiveness level of postpartum contraception among women who recently had an unintended birth. We analyzed cross-sectional data from PRAMS (the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System) to identify women who had an unintended birth between 2012 and 2015. The effectiveness level of the contraceptive method was coded into one of five categories based on the postpartum contraceptive method that women were using: none, less effective (withdrawal, rhythm, condoms, or other barrier), moderately effective (pill, patch, ring, or shot), long-acting reversible contraception (LARC; intrauterine devices or implants), and sterilization (female or male sterilization). Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine whether prepregnancy depression or elevated postpartum depressive symptoms, intimate partner violence before or during pregnancy, and number of psychosocial stressors before birth were associated with effectiveness level of method (compared with no method), in models adjusted for sociodemographics, pregnancy context, and postpartum context. Complete data were available for 56,445 (88.2%) of the 64,030 eligible women: 24.2% experienced depression; 5.3% experienced intimate partner violence; and 16.8% experienced five or more psychosocial stressors around the time of pregnancy or birth. In adjusted models, experiencing intimate partner violence and more stressors lowered women's relative risk of using sterilization, LARC, moderately effective methods, and less-effective contraceptive methods relative to no method use. Only prepregnancy depression was associated with using sterilization compared with no method use. Experiencing intimate partner violence and having more psychosocial stressors were each independently associated with not using a postpartum contraceptive method. Standardized screening for psychosocial factors during prenatal and postpartum care should be integrated, and practices that encourage the discussion of patients' psychosocial experiences and postpartum contraception use together are warranted.

Associated Factors of Postpartum Modern Contraceptive Use in Burie District, Amhara Region, Ethiopia.

Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was employed among 686 mothers in Burie District from March 16 to March 25, 2017. A multistage sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Data were collected using face to face interviewer administered structured questionnaires. Then, the collected data was entered, coded, and cleaned into EPI Data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 20.0 for data analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was done to assess the association of factors with postpartum modern contraceptive use. Adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated, and p values <0.05 were considered to indicate statistical significance. Result This study revealed that postpartum modern contraceptive use was found to be 20.7%. Postpartum modern contraceptive use was significantly associated with women's level of education (AOR = 0.15, 95% CI (0.03-0.71)), discussing FP methods with partner (AOR = 0.60, 95% CI (0.40-0.90)), knowing menses return after birth (AOR = 0.39, 95% CI (0.25-0.59)), ever heard about modern FP methods (AOR = 0.06, 95% CI (0.01-0.43)), and contacting health professionals (AOR = 1.85, 95% CI (1.19-2.88)). Conclusion and Recommendations. Postpartum modern contraceptive use was found to be low. Therefore, health professionals should work on improvements in women's educational status, making awareness of the women and counseling of their husbands about the use of postpartum contraception, when fertility returned and risky timing for becoming pregnant.

The effects of CenteringPregnancy group prenatal care on postpartum visit attendance and contraception use

ObjectiveWe examined whether Medicaid-enrolled women in CenteringPregnancy group prenatal care had higher rates of (1) postpartum visit attendance and (2) postpartum uptake of contraceptives, compared to women in individual prenatal care. Study designWe linked birth certificates and Medicaid claims for women receiving group prenatal care in 18 healthcare practices and applied preferential-within cluster propensity score methods to identify a comparison group, accounting for the nested data structure by practice. We examined five standardized, claims-based outcomes: postpartum visit attendance; contraception within 3 days; and any contraception, long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), and permanent contraception within eight weeks. We assessed outcomes using logistic regression for two treatment levels: (1) any group attendance compared to no group attendance and (2) attendance at five or more group sessions to at least five prenatal care visits, including crossovers attending fewer than five group sessions (minimum threshold analysis). ResultsWomen attending at least five group sessions had higher rates of postpartum visit attendance (71.5% vs. 67.5%, p < .05). Women with any group attendance (N = 2834) were more likely than women with individual care only (N = 13,088) to receive contraception within 3 days (19.8% vs. 16.9%, p < .001) and to receive a LARC within eight weeks’ postpartum (18.0% vs. 15.2%, p < .001). At both treatment levels, group participants were less likely to elect permanent contraception (5.9% vs. 7.8%, p < 0.001). Women meeting the five-visit group threshold were not more likely to initiate contraception or LARCs within 8 weeks’ postpartum. ConclusionParticipation in at least five group compared to five individual prenatal care visits is associated with greater rates of postpartum visit attendance. Additional engagement and education in group prenatal care may influence postpartum visit attendance. ImplicationsPlanning for postpartum care and contraception during prenatal care is an important strategy for connecting women to postpartum healthcare. Regardless of prenatal care model, women have low uptake of contraception in the postpartum period. Increased use of group prenatal care with its scheduled family planning discussion may help to increase postpartum contraceptive uptake. This benefit is dependent on availability of postpartum contraception options.

Increasing the use of effective postpartum contraception: urgent and possible

Increasing the use of effective postpartum contraception: urgent and possible

Investigating the quality of family planning counselling as part of routine antenatal care and its effect on intended postpartum contraceptive method choice among women in Nepal

BackgroundThough modern contraceptive use among married women in Nepal has increased from 26% in 1996 to 43% in 2016, it remains low among postpartum women. Integration of counselling on family planning (FP) at the time of antenatal care (ANC) and delivery has the potential to increase post-partum contraceptive use. This study investigates the quality of FP counselling services provided during ANC visits and women’s perceptions of its effectiveness in assisting them to make a post-partum family planning (PPFP) decision.MethodsIn-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted with 24 pregnant women who had attended at least two ANC visits in one of the six public hospitals that had received an intervention that sought to integrate FP counselling in maternity care services and introduce postpartum intrauterine device insertion in the immediate postpartum period. IDIs data were collected as part of a process evaluation of this intervention. Women were selected using maximum variation sampling to represent different socio-demographic characteristics. IDIs were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim in Nepali, and translated into English. Data were organized using Bruce-Jain quality of care framework and analyzed thematically.ResultsOverall, the quality of FP counselling during ANC was unsatisfactory based on patient expectations and experience of interactions with providers, as well as FP methods offered. Despite their interest, most women reported that they did not receive thorough information about FP, and about a third of them said that they did not receive any counselling services on PPFP. Reasons for dissatisfaction with counselling services included very crowded environment, short time with the provider, non-availability of provider, long waiting times, limited number of days for ANC services, and lack of comprehensive FP-related information, education and counselling (IEC) materials. Women visiting hospitals with a dedicated FP counselor reported higher quality of FP counselling.ConclusionsThere is an urgent need to re-visit the format of counselling on PPFP during ANC visits, corresponding IEC materials, counselling setting, and to strengthen availability and interaction with providers in order to improve quality, experience and satisfaction with FP counselling during ANC visits. Improvements in infrastructure and human resources are also needed to adequately meet women’s needs.

The role of maternal health care services as predictors oftime to modern contraceptive use after childbirth in Northwest Ethiopia: Application of the shared frailty survival analysis.

The first year after birth is an ideal time to offer contraception services, as many women have many opportunities to be in contact with the health care system. Nevertheless, a large number of postpartum women in developing countries do not use the service owing to the interplay of factors operating at various stages. Therefore, this study aimed to assess predictors of modern contraceptive use in the extended postpartum period. A community based retrospective cross-sectional study was done among 1281 women who gave birth within 12 months preceding the survey. Kaplan-Meier plots and log rank tests were used to explore the rate of modern contraceptive use. The Weibull regression survival model with multivariate frailty was employed to identify the predictors of time to contraception. Of the respondents, 59.1% (95% CI: 56.8%-62.2%) had started using modern contraceptive methods within 12 months after birth. By the second month after birth, only 11.1 percent of the women surveyed started to use a contraceptive method, which increased steadily to 25.9%, 37.7%, and 59.5% at 6, 9, and 12 months, respectively. The most preferred contraceptive method was injectable (71.5%), followed by implants (21.5%). Women's education (aHR = 1.29; 95%CI: 1.02, 1.66), four or more antenatal care (aHR = 1.59; 95% CI: 1.22, 2.06), early initiation of antenatal care (aHR = 2.03; 95% CI: 1.28, 3.21), and early postnatal checkup (aHR = 1.39; 95% CI: 1.12, 1.73) were statistically significant predictors of earlier initiation of modern contraceptive methods. A substantial proportion of women did not use modern contraceptive methods in the first year after birth. Maternal services were found to be the sole predictors in postpartum contraceptive use. Findings suggest the importance of linking postpartum family planning along the continuum of care. The observed heterogeneity at cluster level also urges the need of disaggregating data for decision-making.

The effect of antenatal counseling and intrauterine device insertion services on postpartum contraceptive use in Nepal: Results from a stepped-wedge randomized controlled trial

ObjectiveThere is high unmet need for family planning in the postpartum period in Nepal. The current study assessed the effects of a contraceptive counseling and postpartum intrauterine device (PPIUD) insertion intervention on use of contraception in the postpartum period. Study designWe utilized a cluster, stepped-wedge design to randomly assign two hospital clusters (compromised of six hospitals) to begin the intervention at time one or time two. From 2015 to 2017, women completed surveys after delivery but before discharge (n = 75,893), and then at one year and two years postpartum. We estimated the intent-to-treat effect of the intervention using weighted, linear probability models and the adherence-adjusted effect (antenatal counseling) using an instrumental variable approach. Outcomes included modern contraceptive use and method mix measured at one and two years postpartum in a sample of 19,298 women (year I follow-up sample) and a sample of 19,248 women (year II follow-up sample). We used inverse probability weights to adjust for incomplete follow-up and bootstrap methods to give correct causal inference with the small number of six clusters. ResultsThe intervention increased use of modern contraceptives by 3.8 percentage points [95% CI: −0.1, 9.5] at one-year postpartum, but only 0.3 percentage points [95% CI: −3.7, 4.1] at two years. The intervention significantly increased the use of PPIUDs at one year and two years postpartum, but there was less use of sterilization. Only 42% of women were counseled during the intervention period. The adherence-adjusted effects (antenatal counseling) were four times larger than the intent-to-treat effects. ConclusionsProviding counseling during the antenatal period and PPIUD services in hospitals increased use of PPIUDs in the one- and two-year postpartum period and shifted the contraceptive method mix. ImplicationsIn order for antenatal counseling to increase postpartum contraceptive use, counseling may need to be provided in a wider range of prenatal care settings and at multiple time points. Healthcare providers should be trained on contraceptive counseling and PPIUD insertion, with the goal of expanding the available method mix and meeting postpartum women’s contraceptive needs.

Postpartum Contraceptive Use and Its Determinants in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background Postpartum contraceptive use is defined as the avoidance of short spaced pregnancies and unintended pregnancy through the first 12 months after delivery. In Ethiopia, different studies have been conducted to assess the prevalence of postpartum contraceptive use and associated factors. The findings of these studies were inconsistent and characterized by great variability. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to estimate the pooled prevalence of postpartum contraceptive use and determinants in Ethiopia using the accessible studies. Methods The articles were identified through electronic search of reputable databases (MEDLINE through PubMed, EMBASE, HINARI, Science Direct, and Cochrane Library) and the hand search of reference listed in previous prevalence studies to retrieve more. 18 articles are included based on a comprehensive list of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Two authors independently extracted all necessary data using a standardized data extraction format. STATA 14 statistical software was used to analyze the data. The Cochrane Q and I2 test were used to assess the heterogeneity between the studies. A random effects model was calculated to estimate the pooled prevalence of postpartum contraceptive use. Moreover, the determinants for family planning use were reviewed. Results The pooled prevalence of family planning use among mothers during the postpartum period in Ethiopia was 48.11% (95% CI: 36.96, 59.27). Besides, subgroup analysis revealed that the highest family planning use prevalence among postpartum mothers was observed in Addis Ababa, 65.41 (95% CI: 48.71, 82.11). Resumed sexual activity: 7.91 (95% CI: 4.62, 13.55), antenatal care: 4.98 (95% CI: 2.34, 10.21), secondary school and above level of maternal education: 3.53 (95% CI: 1.67, 7.45), postnatal care: 3.16 (95% CI: 1.7, 5.88), menses resumption: 3.12 (95% CI: 1.52, 6.39), and ≥6 months of postpartum period: 2.78 (95% CI: 1.97, 3.93) have shown a positive association with the use of family planning among mothers in the postpartum epoch. Conclusions In this study, family planning use among mothers of the postpartum period in Ethiopia was significantly low compared to the existing global commendation on postpartum contraceptive use. Resumed sexual activity, antenatal care, secondary and above level of maternal education, postnatal care, menses resumption, and postpartum period ≥ 6 months were found to be significantly associated with postpartum contraceptive use.

Modern Contraceptive Use Following an Unplanned Birth in Bangladesh: An Analysis of National Survey Data

Ineffective use or nonuse of contraceptives following an unplanned birth can contribute to the risk of a subsequent unintended pregnancy; however, the literature on the relationship between unintended pregnancy and postpartum contraceptive use is sparse, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Data on 4,493 women from the 2014 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey were analyzed; the subjects of the analysis had had a live birth in the three years prior to the survey and were currently at risk of pregnancy. Multilevel logistic regression analysis was used to examine associations between the intendedness of a woman's last pregnancy resulting in a live birth and her current modern contraceptive use adjusting for individual, household and community-level variables. Twenty-six percent of women reported that their last pregnancy resulting in a live birth had been unintended (15% mistimed and 11% unwanted); 61% reported current use of a modern contraceptive method. Compared with women who reported the pregnancy as having been wanted, those who reported the pregnancy as mistimed had greater odds of current modern contraceptive use (odds ratio, 1.6); no association was found between having had an unwanted pregnancy and subsequent modern contraceptive use. Other important correlates of modern contraceptive use included women's autonomy and desire for children, time since last birth and community-level poverty. Bangladeshi women who experience an unwanted pregnancy may have an elevated risk of subsequent unintended pregnancy. Broader coverage of family planning services, and integration of family planning with maternal health care, may increase modern contraceptive use following an unplanned birth.