Young pregnant women's knowledge of modern intrauterine devices

Abstract

Objective: Modern intrauterine devices (IUDs) are safe, effective, and reversible, but only 2.1% of U.S. women use IUDs. We aimed to estimate young pregnant women's knowledge of IUDs.

Methods: We surveyed 190 women, aged 14-25 years, presenting for prenatal or abortion care about their contraceptive history, plans, and knowledge. We asked if they had heard of IUDs and queried them on IUD characteristics.

Results: The women were, on average, 20 years old, 27% had education past high school, and 47% had delivered a child. Half were in prenatal care, and 91% had not planned their current pregnancy. Fifty-two percent wished to wait 4 or more years before their next pregnancy, and 27% did not want to be pregnant ever again. Safety and efficacy were the most important factors in choosing a contraceptive method. Fifty percent had heard of IUDs, 71% did not know about IUDs' safety, and 58% did not know about IUDs' efficacy. Respondents who knew of IUDs were older (21 versus 19 years, P<.001) and more likely to be parous (55% versus 39%, P=.04).

Conclusion: Young women choosing contraception after a pregnancy would benefit from counseling about the relative safety and effectiveness of IUDs, allowing them to make fully informed contraceptive decisions.

Level of evidence: II-2.