Contraceptive use by obese women 1 year postpartum.
BACKGROUND
Obese women have higher rates of pregnancy complications, making the prevention of unintended pregnancies in this group of particular importance.


METHODS
We performed a secondary analysis of data from Active Mothers Postpartum (AMP), a randomized controlled trial aimed at postpartum weight reduction. We assessed contraceptive use among 361 overweight/obese women 12 months postpartum. Logistic regression was used to model the effect of body mass index (BMI) categories on effective contraceptive use (intrauterine, hormonal or sterilization methods) while adjusting for potential confounders including age, race, parity, breastfeeding, education and chronic illness.


RESULTS
Effective contraceptive use was reported by 45% of women. In the multivariable model, women with a BMI >or=35 kg/m(2) were less likely to use effective contraception than women with a BMI <30 kg/m(2) (OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.3-0.8). There was a trend towards less use of effective contraception among women with a BMI 30-34.9 kg/m(2) as compared to women with a BMI <30 kg/m(2).


CONCLUSIONS
At 12 months postpartum, obese women were less likely to use effective contraceptive methods than overweight women. Although certain contraceptive methods may be preferred over others in this population, providers should reinforce the importance of effective contraception to avoid unintended pregnancies in obese women.
Chin
Jeanette R
JR
Center for Health Services Research in Primary Care, Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, NC 27705, USA. jeanette.chin@duke.edu
Swamy
Geeta K
GK
Østbye
Truls
T
Bastian
Lori A
LA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003267:Contraception / Q000379:methods; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008425:Maternal Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D009657:North Carolina; D009765:Obesity / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology*; D050177:Overweight / Q000523:psychology*; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000523:psychology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult