Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #116032

Trisha E. Mueller, MPH¹, Cheryl Vamos², Brandi Ancrum, MPH³, Ellen M. Daley, PhD, MPH¹, and Nano Rush, MPH⁴. (1) College of Public Health, University of South Florida, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. MDC 56, Tampa, FL 33612, 813-924-0872, tmueller@cdc.gov, (2) Dept. of Community and Family Health, University of South Florida College of Public Health, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MDC-56, Tampa, FL 33612, (3) Department of Community and Family Health, University of South Florida, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MDC 56, Tampa, FL 33612, (4) Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida, 1958 Prospect St., Sarasota, FL 34239

Background: Almost half of all unintended pregnancies end in abortion. Contraception use is vital in reducing the abortion rate and the high rate of unintended pregnancy. Post-abortion contraception is important to prevent further unwanted pregnancies and abortions. Purpose: This study aims to determine the use of pre-abortion contraception and the continuance or initiation of post-abortion contraception in reproductive health clinics in Southwest and Central Florida. Methods: Secondary data were collected from patient charts (n=737) from women receiving abortions in 2003 to determine pre- and post-abortion contraception use. Data were analyzed by SPSS. Results: Forty-two percent of respondents reported using a current method of contraception at the time of abortion. Condoms were most commonly cited as the method of birth control (69%), followed by birth control pills (18%). Only 2 individuals cited emergency contraception as a previous method of birth control. Almost 99% (n=727) of the women discussed birth control options with the provider at time of abortion. Seventy-seven percent (n=571) of women requested a method of birth control at time of abortion and 56.4% (n=400) received a prescription. Among those women, only 32.1% (n=119) continued to pick-up their birth control method at the abortion site following the abortion. Discussion: Post-abortion contraception use is dependent upon a range of factors, including access to care, counseling and health education regarding consistent and correct use and cost. Gaps in requests for and receipt of contraception should be reviewed. Providers should be encouraged to provide women with post-abortion contraception and information on emergency contraception.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, the participant in this session will be able to

• Identify the importance of pre- and post-abortion contraception
• Identify factors associated with post-abortion contraception use
• Identify the importance of counseling and health education as a part of post-abortion care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.