Abstract

Demographic and Time Trends in Massachusetts Adolescents’ Post-Abortion Contraceptive Uptake

Elizabeth Janiak, ScD1, Isabel Fulcher, MS2, Alex Cottrill, BA1, Jennifer Fortin, MPH1, Jamie Sabino, JD1 and Alisa Goldberg, MD, MPH1
(1)Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts, Boston, MA, (2)Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA

APHA's 2018 Annual Meeting & Expo (Nov. 10 - Nov. 14)

Objective: Assess whether uptake of post-abortion contraception varies with time, with changes in insurance regulations, and by demographic characteristics among Massachusetts adolescents. Methods: Retrospective record review of 1,375 minors <=17 years presenting for first lifetime abortion, 2010-2016. Primary outcome: contraception received after surgical abortion, defined as long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) (IUD or implant) placed, highly effective contraceptive (HEC) (shot/pill/patch/ring) provided onsite, or no method. Predictors: consent type for abortion (parental vs. court order), race/ethnicity, insurance type, urbanicity of residence, parity, and time in three two-year epochs (7/2010-6/2012; 7/2012-6/2014; 07/2014-06/2016). State-level health insurance reform had been implemented in 2006; the Affordable Care Act’s national contraceptive coverage mandate took effect 7/2012. Multinomial regression estimated relative risk ratios (RRR) for associations. Results: Likelihood of receiving LARC vs. no method increased over time (RRR for second epoch vs. first 1.70, 95% CI 1.21, 2.39; for third epoch vs. first 3.30, 95% CI 2.23, 4.88). Time and HEC were not related. Compared to self-pay, patients using Medicaid (RRR 5.54, 95% CI 3.37, 9.11) or private insurance (RRR 3.91, 95% CI 2.24, 6.84) were more likely to receive LARC. All racial/ethnic minority patients were more likely to receive LARC, but not HEC, compared to non-Hispanic whites (RRR for non-Hispanic Black 1.81, 95% CI 1.13, 2.88; for non-Hispanic Other 1.72, 95% CI 1.10, 2.71; for Hispanic 2.03, 95% CI 1.38, 2.98). Conclusion: Adolescent post-abortion LARC uptake increased markedly over time accounting for demographics and insurance. Racial/ethnic minority adolescents were more likely than non-Hispanic whites to receive LARC.

Diversity and culture Ethics, professional and legal requirements Provision of health care to the public Public health or related laws, regulations, standards, or guidelines Public health or related public policy Social and behavioral sciences