title: Characteristics associated with interest in long-acting reversible contraception in a postpartum population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Short interpregnancy intervals lead to adverse perinatal outcomes and could be prevented with increased use of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) in the postpartum period. The primary objective of this study was to assess which baseline characteristics are associated with the intent to use LARC among postpartum women.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was a substudy of baseline data from a randomized controlled trial. Eight hundred women completed a pre-intervention survey of demographics and reproductive health history and intentions. We estimated adjusted relative risks (RRs) of intent to use LARC for baseline characteristics of interest.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three hundred three postpartum women (38%) intended to use LARC. Two out of 10 baseline characteristics were significantly associated with intent to use LARC: not trying for pregnancy at time of conception [adjusted RR, 1.6; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.2-2.1] and no desire for another pregnancy within 2 years (adjusted RR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.2-2.8).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High interest in LARC exists among postpartum women, particularly among women with a recent unintended pregnancy and women who do not desire pregnancy for at least 2 years. Past and future pregnancy intentions should be incorporated into future models and frameworks that evaluate postpartum contraceptive choice. Educational intervention studies are also needed to assess if LARC interest can be increased among postpartum women who are less likely to intend to use LARC but at risk for future adverse perinatal outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina, Campus Box 7570, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7570, USA. jennifer_tang@med.unc.edu
authors.forename: Jennifer H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Rosalie
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dominik
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Re
authors.forename: Seth
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brody
authors.forename: Gretchen S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Stuart
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000328:Adult; D003268:Contraception Behavior; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004343:Drug Implants; D005260:Female; D016304:Hospitals, Private; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D007434:Intrauterine Devices; D009657:North Carolina; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence; D049168:Pregnancy, Unplanned; D017584:Reproductive History; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D004343:Drug Implants