Medication abortion (MAB) accounts for an increasing proportion of in-clinic abortions in the United States and poses unique considerations for provision of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC). Studies of LARC initiation among MAB patients mostly consist of trials where financial barriers to LARC were removed. We sought to identify correlates of LARC initiation post-MAB in a community-based setting. This is a retrospective cohort study of patients who presented to a Planned Parenthood Health Center in Minnesota in 2016 for MAB, chose LARC as their intended post-abortion contraceptive method in counseling, and returned to the clinic for their routine follow-up visit (n = 335). We abstracted sociodemographic and reproductive health history variables and used logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (ORs) for LARC initiation post-abortion (≤ 30 days of mifepristone administration). Study participants predominantly self-identified as non-Hispanic and White and had a mean age of 26 years. Overall, 72.8% (n = 244) initiated their desired LARC method by 30 days post-abortion. There was no significant (p < 0.05) association between LARC initiation and most variables: race, ethnicity, age, distance from clinic, body mass index, gestational age, gravidity, prior abortions, and number of children. However, odds of LARC initiation were significantly lower among participants who did not use any health insurance (vs. private insurance) for contraceptive coverage at their MAB follow-up visit (age-adjusted OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.18—0.69). Findings were similar for initiation of the IUD, specifically (age-adjusted OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.18—0.97), but not statistically significant for the implant. Lack of health insurance may be a barrier to LARC initiation for MAB patients. Facilitators of LARC initiation in the context of MAB remain unclear and warrant further research to optimize patient-centered care.

Medication abortion (MAB) accounts for an increasing proportion of in-clinic abortions in the United States and poses unique considerations for provision of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC). Studies of LARC initiation among MAB patients mostly consist of trials where financial barriers to LARC were removed. We sought to identify correlates of LARC initiation post-MAB in a community-based setting. This is a retrospective cohort study of patients who presented to a Planned Parenthood Health Center in Minnesota in 2016 for MAB, chose LARC as their intended post-abortion contraceptive method in counseling, and returned to the clinic for their routine follow-up visit (n = 335). We abstracted sociodemographic and reproductive health history variables and used logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (ORs) for LARC initiation post-abortion (≤ 30 days of mifepristone administration). Study participants predominantly self-identified as non-Hispanic and White and had a mean age of 26 years. Overall, 72.8% (n = 244) initiated their desired LARC method by 30 days post-abortion. There was no significant (p < 0.05) association between LARC initiation and most variables: race, ethnicity, age, distance from clinic, body mass index, gestational age, gravidity, prior abortions, and number of children. However, odds of LARC initiation were significantly lower among participants who did not use any health insurance (vs. private insurance) for contraceptive coverage at their MAB follow-up visit (age-adjusted OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.18—0.69). Findings were similar for initiation of the IUD, specifically (age-adjusted OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.18—0.97), but not statistically significant for the implant. Lack of health insurance may be a barrier to LARC initiation for MAB patients. Facilitators of LARC initiation in the context of MAB remain unclear and warrant further research to optimize patient-centered care.

Background: Alternative contraceptive methods for sperm, often referred to as “male contraception” are in development. Given the lack of current contraceptive options for people who produce sperm, we sought to understand if people with vasectomies would have preferred an alternative contraceptive method, had one been available. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey with 195 participants. Participants were recruited via an email list of 658 people who had received vasectomies from Planned Parenthood North Central States (PPNCS) since 2013 and were willing to be contacted for research purposes. Results: 26.7% of participants reported that access to a different method of birth control for sperm that was highly effective, non-surgical, and fully reversible would have likely or very likely changed their decision to have a vasectomy (44.6% reported it was unlikely or very unlikely and 28.7% were neutral). Reasons for preferring alternative contraceptive methods included reversibility, the desire to avoid surgery, and the accessibility of alternative methods. Demographic findings include that 46.2% of people surveyed had no children at the time of their vasectomy and only 41% of participants were married at the time of their vasectomy. Previous literature has suggested most people undergoing vasectomies are married with children. Two main motivating factors in participants’ decision to have a vasectomy were wanting to prevent future biological children and the preference of participants or their partners for vasectomy over other contraceptive methods. Conclusions: Alternative contraceptive methods for sperm would likely or very likely be preferred by a significant proportion of people who have undergone a vasectomy.

Background: Despite the endorsement of intrauterine device (IUD) use in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) by leading professional organizations and demonstrated acceptance and desirability by AYAs, clinicians may worry about the procedural difficulty of IUD device placement in younger patients. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of first-attempt IUD placement in an AYA population by vaginal delivery (VD) history. Study Design: We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients under 25 years old at reproductive health clinics with an IUD placement attempt between January 1 and August 31, 2017. We abstracted sociodemographic characteristics, pregnancy history, and procedural characteristics including complications. Bivariate analyses compared successful first-attempt IUD placement by VD history. We also assessed the frequency of secondary clinical outcomes including ancillary measures used, provider type, symptoms reported during the procedure, and complications. Results: We included 1325 participants (median age = 21.3 years), including 42 (3.2%) with a previous VD. Nearly all IUD placements were successful on the first attempt (n = 1301, 98.2%) and performed by advanced practice clinicians (n = 1314, 99.2%). First-attempt IUD placement success was similar in those participants with and without VD (P >.999). Ancillary measures other than nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were used infrequently (n = 16, 3.6%). Among participants with an unsuccessful placement, 66.7% returned, and all had a successful IUD placement on the second attempt. Documented complications within 6 months of placement were rare (n = 29) and mostly comprised expulsions (n = 27, 93.1%). Conclusion: IUD placement success among AYAs at community-based reproductive health clinics is high and is not associated with a history of VD.

There is high global demand for new methods of male birth control (MBC). However, contemporary evidence regarding men’s method-specific attitudes and their determinants is sparse. Non-sterilized cisgender men ages 18–45 with recent history of female sex partners were surveyed at a large community event in the Midwestern US. We examined variation in participants’ willingness to use MBC by method (gel, pill, injection, implant, and vas occlusion), potential side effects, and potential barriers. We estimated crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) for associations between participant characteristics and willingness to use ≥ 1 MBC method. Overall, 72% of participants (n = 187; mean age, 29) were very willing to use ≥ 1 MBC method although support for individual methods ranged widely from 62% (pill) to 24% (vas occlusion). In bivariate analysis of sociodemographic and health characteristics, few demonstrated associations with MBC willingness. In a multivariable model, willingness was independently related to age (30–39 vs. 18–29 years old, aPR = 1.24, 95% CI 1.04–1.48) and having ever been tested for HIV (aPR = 1.27, 95% CI 1.07–1.51). Willingness to tolerate side effects was < 10% for most items. The most commonly endorsed barriers to MBC use were high cost (77%) and side effects (66%). Enthusiasm for MBC was high but waned in the context of potential side effects and barriers. Additional research on MBC attitudes in socioeconomically and culturally diverse populations worldwide is sorely needed.

Induced abortion in the United States is safe, and complications are rare. Because of their rarity, many clinicians may not have direct experience with managing complications during surgical aborti...

IMPACT: This work will estimate current EPT implementation in Minnesota and provide cost-effectiveness analyses of different implementation scenarios to inform STI treatment policy. OBJECTIVES/GOALS: This research aims to 1) assess current implementation of Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT) as treatment for C. Trachomatis (chlamydia) and N. Gonorrhoeae (gonorrhea) among healthcare providers in Minnesota and to 2) simulate the current burden of chlamydia and gonorrhea infections to test the cost-effectiveness of increasing EPT implementation. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: We will conduct key informant interviews (KII) and an online survey of health providers across the continuum of care for chlamydia and gonorrhea treatment. Based on experience in prior studies, the KII sample size is expected to be about 15 informants. KIIs will be carried out among providers who submitted

INTRODUCTION:Low-income women in the United States shoulder a disproportionate burden of unintended pregnancy, reflecting possible difficulties in accessing contraception. We examined the association between income and barriers to obtaining long-acting reversible contraception (LARC).METHODS:Non-pre

Background. Despite the established effectiveness of expedited partner therapy (EPT) in partner treatment of bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STI), the practice is underutilized. Objective. To estimate the relative effectiveness of strategies to increase EPT uptake (numbers of partners treated for chlamydia). Methods. We developed a care cascade model of cumulative probabilities to estimate the number of partners treated under strategies to increase EPT uptake in Minnesota. The care cascade model used data from clinical trials, population-based studies, and Minnesota chlamydia surveillance as well as in-depth interviews of health providers who regularly treat STI patients and a statewide survey of health providers across Minnesota. Results. Several strategies could improve EPT uptake among providers, including facilitating treatment payment (additional 1,932 partners treated) and implementing electronic health record reminders (additional 1,755 partners treated). Addressing concerns about liability would have the greatest effect, resulting in 2,187 additional partners treated. Conclusions. Providers expressed openness to offering EPT under several scenarios, which reflect differences in knowledge about EPT, its legality, and potential risks to patients. While addressing concerns about provider liability would have the greatest effect on number of partners treated, provider education and procedural changes could make a substantial impact. Highlights Addressing provider concerns about expedited partner therapy (EPT) legality and its potential risks would result in the most partners treated for chlamydia. EPT alerts and electronic EPT prescriptions may also streamline partner treatment. Provider education about the legality of EPT and its potential risks and training in counseling patients on EPT could also increase uptake.

Despite routine law enforcement use of chemical agents for crowd control, the reproductive health safety profiles of these products are unknown. Moreover, limited evidence has documented a link between such exposures and adverse reproductive health outcomes including abnormal uterine bleeding and potential pregnancy disruption. This cross-sectional study examined reproductive outcomes in adults with uteri exposed to chemical agents used by law enforcement, more commonly known as "tear gas". Participants were recruited through social media in the wake of police violence protests. Of the 1,276 participants included in analysis, 83% reported experiencing at least one of the outcomes of interest, included uterine cramping (69%), early menstrual bleeding (55%), breast tenderness (30%), and delayed menstrual bleeding (21%). Chemical agent exposure was significantly associated with higher odds of an adverse reproductive health outcome, those with 5 days or more of exposure have 2.6 times the odds (CI 1.61, 4.22) of adverse outcomes. and having a perception that one's menstruation may fluctuate according to psychosocial stressors was associated (OR=1.94, CI: 1.36, 2.79) with a higher odds of an adverse reproductive health experience. These findings suggest a potential relationship between exposure to chemical agents and adverse reproductive health outcomes. Given the pervasive use of these chemical agents and their potential for reproductive health harm, further investigation into the safety of these products and their impacts on individual and community health is warranted urgently.