'If-then' planning in one-to-one behaviour change counselling is effective in promoting contraceptive adherence in teenagers

Abstract

Background: Family planning clinicians were trained to provide one-to-one behaviour change counselling to deprived teenage women. They facilitated 'if-then' planning designed to increase adherence to contraception and to overcome potential barriers to adherence.

Methods: Reasons for consultation at the clinic were obtained from electronic records and compared before and after the intervention.

Results: It was found that consultation for emergency contraception and pregnancy testing was reduced by 15% (49% vs 34%) after making if-then plans. This compared to a 4% reduction in a usual care comparison group. Changes in reasons for consultation before and after the intervention were also explored. Positive changes in behaviour were exhibited in 53% of the group who made if-then plans compared to 28% of the usual care comparison group. Changes in reasons for consultation over time were significant in the counselling group (n = 87, p = 0.035) but not in the comparison group (n = 79, p = 0.68).

Conclusion: These findings provide evidence that training clinicians in psychological behaviour change techniques such as if-then planning can be effective in influencing contraceptive consultation patterns among teenage women.