Use of Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives by Race/Ethnicity in Georgia Health Departments, 2018-2021
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Equitable access to and use of effective contraception can reduce disparities related to unintended pregnancy. Georgia Department of Public Health offers comprehensive family planning services, including long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC). LARC, which includes intrauterine devices and implants, are highly effective at preventing unintended pregnancies. Understanding LARC use over time and by race-ethnicity in rural/non-rural counties of health departments is important for identifying any potential barriers that may contribute to adverse maternal health outcomes.
METHODS:
Family planning data from health departments in all 159 Georgia counties were deduplicated and limited to contraceptive service visits among women from 2018-2021. Proportion of LARC use was stratified by racial-ethnic groups and rural/non-rural counties of health departments.
RESULTS:
23728 LARC were inserted from 2018-2021. LARC use decreased by 21.39% in 2020-2021 compared to 2018-2019. The use of LARC in rural health departments (33.91%) was lower compared to non-rural health departments (66.08%). In non-rural health departments, LARC use was higher among Hispanic women (16.41%), non-Hispanic White women (15.7%) and lowest among non-Hispanic Black women (8.89%). In rural health departments, non-Hispanic Black women (6.03%) had lower LARC use compared to Hispanic women (12.88%) and non-Hispanic White women (11.50%).
CONCLUSION:
The decrease in LARC use in 2020-2021 is likely due to a decrease in women seeking services during the COVID-19 pandemic. LARC are used less in rural health departments and among non-Hispanic Black women. Interventions to ensure access to LARC and understanding personal contraceptive preferences are essential to achieve equitable maternal health outcomes.
KEYWORDS:
Long-acting reversible contraceptive; race/ethnicity; contraception; rural health
Keywords
Long-acting reversible contraceptive; race/ethnicity; contraception; rural health
Use of Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives by Race/Ethnicity in Georgia Health Departments, 2018-2021
BACKGROUND:
Equitable access to and use of effective contraception can reduce disparities related to unintended pregnancy. Georgia Department of Public Health offers comprehensive family planning services, including long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC). LARC, which includes intrauterine devices and implants, are highly effective at preventing unintended pregnancies. Understanding LARC use over time and by race-ethnicity in rural/non-rural counties of health departments is important for identifying any potential barriers that may contribute to adverse maternal health outcomes.
METHODS:
Family planning data from health departments in all 159 Georgia counties were deduplicated and limited to contraceptive service visits among women from 2018-2021. Proportion of LARC use was stratified by racial-ethnic groups and rural/non-rural counties of health departments.
RESULTS:
23728 LARC were inserted from 2018-2021. LARC use decreased by 21.39% in 2020-2021 compared to 2018-2019. The use of LARC in rural health departments (33.91%) was lower compared to non-rural health departments (66.08%). In non-rural health departments, LARC use was higher among Hispanic women (16.41%), non-Hispanic White women (15.7%) and lowest among non-Hispanic Black women (8.89%). In rural health departments, non-Hispanic Black women (6.03%) had lower LARC use compared to Hispanic women (12.88%) and non-Hispanic White women (11.50%).
CONCLUSION:
The decrease in LARC use in 2020-2021 is likely due to a decrease in women seeking services during the COVID-19 pandemic. LARC are used less in rural health departments and among non-Hispanic Black women. Interventions to ensure access to LARC and understanding personal contraceptive preferences are essential to achieve equitable maternal health outcomes.
KEYWORDS:
Long-acting reversible contraceptive; race/ethnicity; contraception; rural health
