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Brief Research Article| Volume 120, 109957, April 2023

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Reproductive health services: A missed opportunity in VA primary care?

  • Deirdre A. Quinn
    Correspondence
    Corresponding author.
    Affiliations
    Center for Health Equity Research & Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, United States

    Center for Innovative Research on Gender Health Equity, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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  • Florentina E. Sileanu
    Affiliations
    Center for Health Equity Research & Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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  • Sonya Borrero
    Affiliations
    Center for Health Equity Research & Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, United States

    Center for Innovative Research on Gender Health Equity, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States

    Center for Research on Health Care, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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  • Lisa S. Callegari
    Affiliations
    Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Health Services, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States

    Center for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States
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      Abstract

      Objective

      Integration of reproductive health services into comprehensive primary care is increasingly viewed as a strategy to address service gaps and improve patient-centered care. We assess receipt of contraceptive and prepregnancy health counseling among pregnancy-capable Veterans within Veterans Affairs (VA) primary care.

      Study Design

      Data are from 1076 participants in a nationally representative, cross-sectional survey of women Veterans ages 18 to 45 with an overall survey response rate of 28%. Descriptive analyses and chi square tests of association were performed.

      Results

      Only 44% of pregnancy-capable Veterans reported receiving any contraceptive and/or prepregnancy care from a VA primary care provider in the past year.

      Conclusions

      Although VA guidelines include reproductive services as a core component of primary care, additional efforts may be needed to promote routine provision of this care in practice.

      Keywords

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