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

Abstract #118015

Patricia Dolan Mullen, DrPH¹, Sandi Pruitt, MPH¹, and Mary M. Velasquez, PhD². (1) Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, University of Texas Houston Health Science Center School of Public Health, 7000 Fannin, Suite 2510F, Houston, TX 77030, 832-567-7705, Sandi.L.Pruitt@uth.tmc.edu, (2) Medical School, University of Texas-Houston, UT Health Science Center, 6431 Fannin Street JJL 324, Houston, TX 77030

Background: One approach to preventing fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) has targeted high risk women before conception to reduce risky drinking or prevent unintended pregnancy. However, women at risk for alcohol-exposed pregnancies (AEP) may share high rates of behavioral, sociodemographic and medical characteristics that make them ineligible for effective contraception. For example, Project CHOICES surveys found that women at risk for AEP are highly likely to be smokers and have multiple sex partners.

Objective: To describe eligibility for effective methods of reversible contraception among women at risk for AEP.

Methods: Women were recruited from Houston area jails and drug and alcohol treatment facilities to 2 FASD prevention trials. The intervention groups had 2 individual motivational interviewing sessions before release to build motivation for “freeworld” appointments for free well-woman services and contraceptives for 6 months ($35 was paid for the first visit.) Clinic nurse practitioners discussed contraceptive options, determined medical eligibility and contraindications, and dispensed contraception.

Results: In all, 82 of the women in our studies attended a well-woman exam. Most women reported using condoms (43%) or “nothing” (21%) for contraception. At least one method of contraception was contraindicated for 67.1%. The most commonly contraindicated methods were the IUD (40.2%) because of multiple sex partners and oral contraceptives (37.8%) due to various risk factors such as smokers over the age of 35.

Discussion: It may be difficult to find an effective, reversible contraceptive method that is safe for women at risk of AEP.

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

• Recognize the importance of unintended pregnancy prevention as part of a comprehensive fetal alcohol spectrum disorder prevention strategy.
• Identify contraindications to FDA-approved methods of reversible contraception.
• Describe the behavioral, sociodemographic and medical characteristics of high-risk women that may limit their choice of an effective method of contraception.

Keywords: Family Planning, Alcohol Use

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.