Objective
To determine if a counseling intervention using the principles of motivational interviewing (MI) would impact uptake of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) after abortion.
Methods
We conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial comparing an MI-based contraception counseling intervention to only non-standardized counseling. Sixty women 15-29 years-old were randomized. Primary outcome: uptake of LARC within four weeks of abortion. Secondary outcomes: uptake of any effective contraceptive, contraceptive use three months after abortion and satisfaction with counseling. Bivariate analysis was used to compare outcomes.
Results
In the intervention arm, 65.5% of participants received a long-acting method within four weeks compared to 32.3% in the control arm (p=0.01). Three months after the abortion, differences in LARC use endured (60.0% vs. 30.8%, p=0.05). Uptake and use of any effective method were not statistically different. More women in the intervention arm reported satisfaction with their counseling than women in the control arm (92.0% vs. 65.4%, p=0.04).
Conclusion
Twice as many women in the MI-based contraception counseling intervention initiated and continued to use LARC compared to women who received only non-standardized counseling.
Practice Implications
A contraception counseling session using the principles and skills of motivational interviewing has the potential to impact LARC use after abortion.
Objectives
To evaluate the impact of doula support on first trimester abortion care.
Study Design
Women were randomized to receive doula support or routine care during first trimester surgical abortion. We examined the effect of doula support on pain during abortion using a 100-mm visual analog scale. The study had statistical power to detect 20% difference in mean pain scores. Secondary measures included satisfaction, procedure duration, and patient recommendations regarding doula support.
Results
Two hundred and fourteen women completed the study: 106 received doula support, 108 received routine care. The groups did not differ regarding demographics, gestational age, or medical history. Pain scores in the doula and control groups did not differ at speculum insertion (38.6mm [±26.3mm] vs. 43.6mm [±25.9mm], p=0.18) or procedure completion (68.2mm [±28.0mm] vs. 70.6mm [±23.5mm], p=0.52). Procedure duration (3.39min [±2.83min] vs. 3.18min [±2.36min], p=0.55) and patient satisfaction (75.2mm [±28.6mm] vs. 74.6mm [±27.4mm], p=0.89) did not differ between doula and control groups. Among women who received doula support, 96.2% recommended routine doula support for abortion and 60.4% indicated interest in training as doulas. Among women who did not receive doula support, 71.6% of women would have wanted it. Additional clinical staff was needed to provide support for 2.9% of women in the doula group and 14.7% of controls (p<0.01).
Conclusions
Although doula support did not have a measurable effect on pain or satisfaction, women overwhelmingly recommended it for routine care. Women receiving doula support were less likely to require additional clinic support resources. Doula support, therefore, may address patient psychosocial needs.
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