Failure of family-planning referral and high interest in advanced provision emergency contraception among women contacted for STD partner notification

Abstract

Background: Few data are available on the risk of unintended pregnancy in women with STD or how contraceptive services can be integrated into STD control activities.

Objective: To define the risk for unintended pregnancy and assess the effectiveness of family-planning (FP) referral and interest in advanced provision emergency contraception (APEC) among women with gonorrhea or chlamydial infection.

Methods: Female participants in a randomized trial of different approaches to partner notification were interviewed, offered referral for FP services and asked if they would want APEC.

Results: Among participants ages 14-24, the observed past pregnancy rate and age-adjusted anticipated past pregnancy rate were, respectively, 196 and 72 per 1000 women-years. Of 474 nonpregnant participants who did not desire pregnancy, 127 (34%) were using no contraception or condoms alone, of whom 8 (6%) requested a FP appointment and 81% wanted APEC.

Conclusions: Women treated for STD are at high-risk for unintended pregnancy. Although referral for FP was ineffective, interest in APEC was very high.