Abstract
Background
Postabortion insertion of intrauterine contraception has the potential to decrease
unintended pregnancy and repeat abortions, but little is known about how to ensure
that women receive appropriate counseling about this method in this setting. The goal
of this investigation was to document women's questions and to assess retention of
information provided during contraceptive counseling after immediate postabortion
intrauterine contraceptive placement.
Study Design
Women who received postabortion intrauterine contraceptives (IUCs) at an urban, hospital-based
abortion clinic were surveyed 2–3 months postabortion to evaluate for expulsion, assess
their concerns about IUC and evaluate retention of information provided during contraceptive
counseling.
Results
Of 141 women contacted, 121 participated. Almost half of participants (46%) had responses
to the question “Do you have any questions or concerns about your intrauterine device?”
that fell into the following categories: spotting/bleeding (16%), cramping/pain (15%),
string management (10%), expulsion concern (5%). Seventy percent reported less bleeding
during menses than prior to IUC placement, and 37% had less cramping. Sixty-three
percent were able to accurately report statistics regarding IUC efficacy, 56% recalled
common side effects, and 42% remembered what to do if expulsion occurred.
Conclusion
Although IUCs are highly effective and their placement in the abortion setting is
safe, women frequently have questions and do not recall critical counseling information
about IUCs. In order to improve IUC continuation, techniques to improve both patient
knowledge retention and anticipatory guidance should be studied further.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: December 26, 2012
Accepted:
November 19,
2012
Received in revised form:
November 19,
2012
Received:
June 13,
2012
Identification
Copyright
© 2013 Published by Elsevier Inc.
