Association Between Prenatal Contraceptive Counseling and Immediate Postpartum Contraceptive Use in South Carolina: Disparities by Race/Ethnicity
Abstract
Background: Spacing births and access to contraception are essential interventions to reduce maternal mortality and improve health outcomes, particularly among Black women, who experience higher rates of maternal mortality and unintended pregnancies. Method: This study used the South Carolina Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) data from 2019 to 2021, specifically analyzing state-added questions on prenatal contraceptive counseling and immediate postpartum contraceptive use, to examine racial/ethnic differences. Bivariate associations between categorical variables were assessed using Chi-square tests of independence. Results: Approximately 60.6% were White, 27.0% Black, and 12.3% other races, with 88.0% being non-Hispanic and 12.0% Hispanic. Among respondents, 54.4% reported receiving prenatal contraceptive counseling, which differed by race/ethnicity (47.3% among Non-Hispanic Whites vs. 65.4% among Non-Whites, p<.0001). Approximately 23.6% reported postpartum contraceptive use, varying by counseling status (32.5% with counseling vs. 21.7% without); however, this relationship was not significant (p=0.0991). Postpartum contraception use did not significantly differ by race/ethnicity (21.77% of Non-Hispanic White vs. 26.1% of Non-White, p = 0.5920). Conclusion: While prenatal contraceptive counseling was more frequently noted in Non-White respondents, its association with postpartum use of contraceptives was not significant. The generalizability of the study could be impacted due to limitations in significant missing data. Future research should examine other barriers to postpartum contraceptive use and continue efforts to improve reproductive health care access.
Start Time
16-4-2025 2:30 PM
End Time
16-4-2025 3:30 PM
Room Number
304
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Presentation Subtype
Grad/Comp Orals
Presentation Category
Health
Faculty Mentor
Michael Smith
Association Between Prenatal Contraceptive Counseling and Immediate Postpartum Contraceptive Use in South Carolina: Disparities by Race/Ethnicity
304
Background: Spacing births and access to contraception are essential interventions to reduce maternal mortality and improve health outcomes, particularly among Black women, who experience higher rates of maternal mortality and unintended pregnancies. Method: This study used the South Carolina Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) data from 2019 to 2021, specifically analyzing state-added questions on prenatal contraceptive counseling and immediate postpartum contraceptive use, to examine racial/ethnic differences. Bivariate associations between categorical variables were assessed using Chi-square tests of independence. Results: Approximately 60.6% were White, 27.0% Black, and 12.3% other races, with 88.0% being non-Hispanic and 12.0% Hispanic. Among respondents, 54.4% reported receiving prenatal contraceptive counseling, which differed by race/ethnicity (47.3% among Non-Hispanic Whites vs. 65.4% among Non-Whites, p<.0001). Approximately 23.6% reported postpartum contraceptive use, varying by counseling status (32.5% with counseling vs. 21.7% without); however, this relationship was not significant (p=0.0991). Postpartum contraception use did not significantly differ by race/ethnicity (21.77% of Non-Hispanic White vs. 26.1% of Non-White, p = 0.5920). Conclusion: While prenatal contraceptive counseling was more frequently noted in Non-White respondents, its association with postpartum use of contraceptives was not significant. The generalizability of the study could be impacted due to limitations in significant missing data. Future research should examine other barriers to postpartum contraceptive use and continue efforts to improve reproductive health care access.