There are many effective contraceptive methods available, yet 46% of pregnancies in Vermont are unintended. The majority of educational initiatives to increase high-efficacy contraceptive use are directed only towards women, and not their male partners. This intervention aims to help primary care providers educate young male patients on contraception, using an engaging pamphlet. Improving male patient awareness and understanding of contraception options may help partners have open and informed discussions that lead to more consistent contraceptive use.https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/fmclerk/1247/thumbnail.jp

Reddy, Saraga Pannala

English

ScholarWorks @ UVM

University of VermontScholarWorks @ UVMFamily Medicine Clerkship Student Projects Larner College of Medicine2016Increasing Male Patient Awareness ofContraception OptionsSaraga Pannala ReddyFollow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/fmclerkThis Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Larner College of Medicine at ScholarWorks @ UVM. It has been accepted for inclusion inFamily Medicine Clerkship Student Projects by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks @ UVM. For more information, please contactdonna.omalley@uvm.edu.Recommended CitationReddy, Saraga Pannala, "Increasing Male Patient Awareness of Contraception Options" (2016). Family Medicine Clerkship StudentProjects. 215.https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/fmclerk/215Increasing Male Patient Awareness of Contraception OptionsSARAGA REDDY, MS3 UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT COLLEGE OF MEDICINECOLCHESTER, VTOCTOBER/NOVEMBER 20161Problem Identification/Description of Need Unintended pregnancies Several studies link unintended pregnancies to poorer maternal/child health outcomes and adverse social and economic sequelae. 90-95% of unintended pregnancies can be prevented with consistent contraceptive use. National unintended pregnancy rate is 45%. In 2010 in Vermont, 46% of pregnancies were unintended. Teen birth rate in Vermont was 5th highest in the nation in 2014. Male disengagement from the process of selecting and utilizing forms of birth control Men have an equal responsibility to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Studies around the world have shown that men’s awareness of and support for the use of contraceptives were significantly associated with their partners’ desire to use contraception. Currently, most campaigns to increase use of high efficacy contraceptives are directed only towards women.2Public Health Cost/Considerations National (2010 data) $21.0 billion in public expenditure on unintended pregnancies 68% of unplanned births were publicly funded Publicly funded family planning services saved taxpayers 13.6 billion  In Vermont (2010 data) Federal and state governments spent $31.4 million on unintended pregnancies 73.5% of unplanned births in VT were publicly funded Publicly funded family planning services saved taxpayers $16.4 million3Community Perspective Dr. Alicia Jacobs – Family practitioner at Colchester Family Practice Thought that this would be a unique way to address contraceptive use and access. She was hopeful that this intervention would encourage open conversations between partners about contraception.  Dr. Clara Keegan – Family practitioner at South Burlington Family Practice Was in support of increased male patient education on contraceptives, however felt that it was difficult to engage male patients because they are often not the ones using the most current methods. She stated that particular areas of need for increased education were emergency contraception, vasectomy, and IUDs.  Suggested drawing from existing resources made by The Reproductive Health Access Project. Informal conversations with male patients at Colchester family practice evoked a positive response. Patients felt most comfortable with the idea of an informational pamphlet to take home. 4Intervention and Methodology A trifold pamphlet was developed targeting male patients under 30, using data and existing resources from The Reproductive Health Access Project. Pamphlet’s objective was to provide a basic and engaging overview of male and female contraceptive options. Special focus on emergency contraceptives and specific ways male patients can directly impact contraceptive use and adherence. Pamphlets were reviewed and edited by providers at Colchester Family Practice. Providers at Colchester Family Practice were asked to distribute the pamphlets to young male patients who stood to benefit from contraceptive education. Electronic copies of the pamphlet were provided to the practice for future use and distribution.5Patient Pamphlet 6Response from Providers Providers at Colchester Family Practice responded positively to the project and intervention. They thought that the pamphlet was engaging, and would be a valuable resource for young men. Providers were excited to share the pamphlet with patients, and felt that it would aid more in-depth discussions about contraception. One provider suggested that the pamphlet may also be a great fit for distribution at the UVM Student Health Center7Evaluation of Effectiveness/Limitations Effectiveness Provider response suggested that the pamphlet was engaging, and directly addressed areas of lacking education.  Effectiveness of the pamphlet could be further assessed using a pre-distribution and post-distribution survey if the intervention is implemented at other practices.  Limitations Although international studies suggest a link between male partner support and contraceptive adherence, there have been few studies exploring the issue in the United States. Cultural differences unique to the United States weaken extrapolation of international data. The pamphlet provided the basics on a wide variety of contraceptives. The intervention may have been more effective if it focused on only one topic, such as Emergency Contraception.8Recommendations for future projects Assess need at similar primary care practices and health centers in the area, including the UVM student health center.  Develop a pre/post implementation survey, assessing knowledge of contraceptives before and after reading the pamphlet. Continue improving the pamphlet so that it is maximally engaging and effective.  Collaborate with Planned Parenthood of Northern New England to adapt the pamphlet for broader use. Develop a similar pamphlet targeting younger age group (<13years old) and older age group (>30 years old)9References Birth Control for Men. Reproductive Health Access Project. 2015 Jun (accessed 2016 Nov). Available from: http://www.reproductiveaccess.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/bc-men.pdf.  Emergency Contraception: Which EC is Right for Me?. Reproductive Health Access Project. 2016 Jun (accessed 2016 Nov). Available from: http://www.reproductiveaccess.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/emergency-contraception.pdf.  Frost JJ, Frohwirth L and Zolna MR, Contraceptive Needs and Services, 2014 Update, New York: Guttmacher Institute, 2016, https://www.guttmacher.org/report/contraceptive-needs-and-services-2014-update. Frost JJ, Sonfield A, Zolna MR and Finer LB, Return on investment: a fuller assessment of the benefits and cost savings of the US publicly funded family planning program, Milbank Quarterly, 2014, 92(4):696–749, http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/enhanced/doi/10.1111/1468-0009.12080/. Guttmacher Institute, Testimony of Guttmacher Institute, Submitted to the Committee on Preventive Services for Women, Institute of Medicine, 2011, https://www.guttmacher.org/article/2011/01/testimony-guttmacher-institute-subcommittee-preventive-services-womens-institute. Lang, Thomas A, Developing Patient Education Handouts. Davis, CA. 1999 Jun 1 (accessed 2016 Nov). Available from: http://tomlangcommunications.com/Expanded_Patient_Ed_Chapter.pdf.  Relative Effectiveness of Birth Control Methods. Options for Sexual Health. Vancouver, BC. Revised 2009 Mar (accessed 2016 Nov). Available from: https://www.optionsforsexualhealth.org/sites/optionsforsexualhealth.org/files/Relative%20Effectiveness%20-%20FS400.pdf.  Singh S, Sedgh G and Hussain R, Unintended pregnancy: worldwide levels, trends, and outcomes, Studies in Family Planning, 2010, 41(4):241–250. Sonfield A et al., The Social and Economic Benefits of Women’s Ability to Determine Whether and When to Have Children, New York: GuttmacherInstitute, 2013, https://www.guttmacher.org/report/social-and-economic-benefits-womens-ability-determine-whether-and-when-have-children. Sonfield A and Kost K, Public Costs from Unintended Pregnancies and the Role of Public Insurance Programs in Paying for Pregnancy-Related Care: National and State Estimates for 2010, New York: Guttmacher Institute, 2015, https://www.guttmacher.org/report/public-costs-unintended-pregnancies-and-role-public-insurance-programs-paying-pregnancy. Your Birth Control Choices. Reproductive Health Access Project. 2016 Jun (accessed 2016 Nov). Available from: http://www.reproductiveaccess.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/contra_choices.pdf. 10

Increasing Male Patient Awareness of Contraception Options

https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1247&amp;context=fmclerk

Increasing Male Patient Awareness of Contraception Options

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

ScholarWorks @ UVM