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

Abstract #117719

Ann Zukoski, DrPH MPH¹, Tisa Fontaine Hill, MPH¹, Jessica E. A. Duke, MPH², and Marsha C. Brantley². (1) Department of Public Health, Oregon State University, 254 Waldo Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331-6406, 541-737-3832, ann.zukoski@oregonstate.edu, (2) Women's and Reproductive Health, Oregon Department of Human Services Office of Family Health, 800 NE Oregon Street Suite 850, Portland, OR 97232

Approximately half of all pregnancies in the United States are unintended. Temporary method-switching and discontinuation of contraceptives significantly contribute to unintended pregnancies. According to the NSFG, 31% of women discontinue use of a reversible contraceptive for a method-related reason within the first six months of use, and 44% do so in the first twelve months. Reasons for method discontinuation are many, but anecdotally women and practitioners alike commonly cite weight gain as a major factor. This session reports findings from a literature review conducted for the Oregon Department of Human Services to assess the extent of women's weight gain and weight concerns related to contraceptive use. The objective of the study was to review the scientific evidence related to three research questions: 1) Do women's attitudes and beliefs about weight gain affect intention to use a contraceptive method?; 2) To what extent does weight gain lead to method discontinuation?; and 3) How do women's beliefs and attitudes about weight gain and contraceptive use vary by age and race/ethnicity? A comprehensive key word and MeSH heading search was conducted in MEDLINE, BIOSIS, CINAHL, POPLINE and Psych Info electronic databases from 1960 to 2004. Based on strict inclusion criteria, 40 articles were reviewed. Findings reveal that the majority of contraceptive research to date has not examined weight gain or potential weight gain as a primary outcome, making it difficult to assess relative impact on contraceptive decision-making. Studies that examined weight gain faced methodological limitations. Implications for practitioners and researchers will be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

• 1)Identify the extent to which women’s concerns about weight gain impact contraceptive method choice.
• 2)Identify the extent to which women’s concerns about weight gain impact method discontinuation
• 3)Discuss the implications for family planning practice and future research
• 4)Explore how family planning providers can contribute to addressing weight gain issues as they relate to larger public health obesity prevention campaigns.

Keywords: Contraceptives, Service Delivery

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.