Contraceptive Counseling and Use among Women with Poorer Health.

BACKGROUND To explore associations between health status, contraceptive counseling and contraceptive use. METHODS Women aged 18-50 visiting one of 4 primary care clinics were invited to complete surveys after their visit. Perceived health status was measured using a 5-point scale. Among those considered at risk of unintended pregnancy, logistic regression was used to investigate associations between health status and contraceptive counseling and use. FINDINGS Women reporting poorer health had decreased odds of receiving some contraceptive counseling at their visit (aOR=0.62, CI=0.39, 0.97) and using some contraception at last intercourse (aOR=0.63, CI=0.41, 0.97) compared to women reporting better health. However, among women with poorer health, receipt of counseling about hormonal contraception was associated with increased odds of using hormonal methods (aOR=8.22, CI=1.77, 38.19). Only 7% of women in poorer health received counseling on highly effective reversible contraception. CONCLUSIONS Women in poorer health may be at risk of adverse reproductive health outcomes and should receive counseling on safe hormonal and highly effective reversible contraceptives.