Heidi D. Nelson, MD, MPH, KPSOM Professor of Health Systems Science, is the principal investigator of a study centered on the effectiveness and harms associated with contraceptive counseling and interventions for women and adolescents that was published in Annals of Internal Medicine on May 24, 2022.
The research in “Effectiveness and Harms of Contraceptive Counseling and Provision Interventions for Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis” explores comprehensive contraceptive care—particularly for those with barriers to access—and the role it plays in helping women to achieve their reproductive goals. The review and meta-analysis Dr. Nelson and her fellow researchers conducted assesses how effective contraceptive counseling is in increasing the use of contraceptives and reducing unintended pregnancy. The study further identifies harms that may be associated with these interventions and includes an accompanying editorial by Annals Editor in Chief Dr. Christine Laine noting the importance of contraceptive provision and counseling during a time when abortion access is becoming more limited in the United States.
Research findings show that comprehensive contraceptive services beyond usual care increase contraceptive use without reducing condom use or increasing STIs. The study also demonstrates that enhanced contraceptive counseling, provision, and follow-up; providing emergency contraception in advance; and delivering contraceptive services directly postpartum or at the time of abortion can all improve contraceptive care in clinical practice.
Read the article here .
