Exploring Postpartum Pregnancy Prevention Behaviors Among Women Experiencing Homelessness: A Mixed‐Methods Analysis

Abstract

IntroductionWomen experiencing homelessness are at higher risk of unintended pregnancy than women who are stably housed and may have unique reasons for not engaging in postpartum pregnancy prevention. This sequential explanatory mixed‐methods study aimed to examine reasons women experiencing homelessness may not engage in pregnancy prevention during the postpartum period.MethodsQuantitative 2016‐2019 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System data regarding postpartum pregnancy prevention among recently pregnant women experiencing homelessness and women stably housed (n = 99,138) were analyzed with complex survey‐weighted bivariate analysis. Primary outcomes included whether women engaged in postpartum contraception and key reasons for not engaging in postpartum contraception. Qualitative data from semistructured interviews with north Texas women (n = 12) recently pregnant and homeless were coded and thematically analyzed. Findings were triangulated using a woman‐centered conceptual framework that facilitates meeting reproductive goals.ResultsWomen experiencing homelessness reported several statistically significant (P < .05) reasons for not using postpartum pregnancy prevention: currently pregnant, currently abstinent, cannot afford contraception, and partner not liking contraception. Key themes from interviews were related to internal factors (eg, perceived risk of pregnancy is high, current situation not good for having children); external factors (eg, my partner wants to have another child); perceptions of pregnancy (eg, children would be joyful, I want to get pregnant soon after I get housing), and salience of planning (eg, doesn't matter if we plan).DiscussionFindings highlight several key reasons for not engaging in postpartum pregnancy prevention among women experiencing homelessness. Findings lay the groundwork for interventions seeking to support individualized and evolving sexual and reproductive health goals within the context of needed housing and family resources.