Effect of antenatal contraceptive education and other factors on uptake of long-acting reversible contraception in postpartum women in Hong Kong

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the impact of antenatal contraceptive education and identify other factors influencing the uptake of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) during the postpartum period. STUDY DESIGN: This prospective questionnaire study compared women who were provided with contraceptive education during their antenatal visits to those who received routine antenatal care without specific address to contraceptive education. Contraception education were delivered through written leaflets, videos and posters during antenatal visits. Questionnaires were distributed to evaluate attitudes and contraceptive planning. Follow-up calls were conducted three-to-six months postpartum to collect data on contraception uptake. Outcomes were analysed using Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test and multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: 1,153 women were recruited in the study. Enhanced antenatal contraceptive education did not significantly affect postpartum uptake of LARC. Factors associated with higher LARC uptake included higher gravidity and prior use of LARC. Convenience and high effectiveness were the reasons for choosing LARC. CONCLUSION: This study found that our LARC uptake rate in the postpartum period remained low and was not significantly improved by antenatal contraceptive education in the model studied. Our postpartum contraceptive education strategies need to be reviewed, but the most effective means remains to be explored.