Incorporating thorough contraception counseling into an abortion consultation is challenging. We compared contraceptive choices and methods received between two counseling models: telephone counseling separate from the abortion consultation and face-to-face counseling integrated into the talk.
We obtained de-identified data on demographic characteristics and contraceptive methods chosen and received by women who had an abortion at the British Pregnancy Advisory Service and had a choice of counseling models. We compared the characteristics of women who chose each counseling model and the contraceptive methods they chose and received using Fisher’s exact test.
The sample included a total of 18 573 women. Women choosing telephone counseling were more likely to be non-White, to report prior difficulty obtaining contraception, and to have not used contraception at conception. Ninety three percent of women chose a contraceptive method after counseling. Telephone counseling was significantly associated with both choosing and receiving a Tier 1 method. Fewer women who had telephone counseling received a less effective way compared with those who chose integrated counseling.
The study concluded that telephone-based contraception counseling separate from the abortion consultation might serve some women better than integrated counseling, particularly those reporting past difficulty obtaining contraception.
Reference: https://srh.bmj.com/content/44/2/114
