Contraceptive Counseling Quality and Postpartum Contraceptive Method Satisfaction: A Multi-Institutional Cross-Sectional Analysis.
Nicole Luche, Elizabeth A Mosley, Nikki Zite et al.
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In 30 seconds
This multicentre cross-sectional analysis examined whether perceived contraceptive counseling quality was associated with method satisfaction three months postpartum. It used data from 219 pregnant individuals aged 21–44 years who were considering tubal sterilization and had enrolled in a randomized trial of a decision aid. Overall, 61% reported optimal counseling and 65% optimal method satisfaction. After adjustment, optimal counseling was associated with higher odds of optimal satisfaction (aOR 1.88, 95% CI 1.03-3.46, p = 0.04); the association was sustained across the individual counseling domains.
Key findings
- Optimal counseling was associated with higher odds of optimal postpartum method satisfaction (aOR 1.88, 95% CI 1.03-3.46, p = 0.04).
- Optimal counseling and optimal method satisfaction were reported by 61% and 65% of participants, respectively.
- Respect, discussion of method pros and cons, avoiding pressure, and answering questions were each associated with satisfaction.
Why it matters
Postpartum contraceptive decisions can involve multiple methods and patient preferences. These findings link patients’ perceptions of respectful, informative, non-pressuring counseling with satisfaction with their chosen method. They underscore the relevance of counseling quality as an outcome alongside method selection, while the observational analysis does not establish that counseling practices caused greater satisfaction.
What to keep in mind
The cross-sectional analysis assessed counseling perceptions and method satisfaction at three months postpartum, so it cannot establish causality. Participants were pregnant individuals considering tubal sterilization who enrolled in a decision-aid trial, which may limit generalizability.