Progestins are synthetic progestogens that prevent pregnancy by thickening the mucous of the cervix to prevent sperm entry and by disrupting implantation via alteration of the timing of endometrial changes occurring during a normal menstrual cycle. Various hormonal birth control methods utilize progestins, with some of the most effective types of birth control methods being long-acting reversible contraceptives. These include hormonal injections such as depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), hormonal implants such as Nexplanon, and hormone-releasing intrauterine devices (IUDs) such as Mirena. Although there have been many studies on the safety and effectiveness of these methods, fewer studies have examined how these hormonal methods may impact the bacterial environment of the vagina, better known as the vaginal microbiome. The health of the vagina relies heavily on the bacteria composing the microbiome. Changes in species composition correlate with higher risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and adverse pregnancy outcomes. When women select their preferred hormonal contraceptive method, they should know if it will impact their vaginal microbiome and increase susceptibility to disease. Twenty-one patients enrolled in this study, with one patient initiating DMPA, 14 initiating levonorgestrel (LNG) IUD, and 6 initiating the etonogestrel subdermal implant (ESI). At initiation, 3 months post initiation, and 6 months post initiation, no differences were seen in the vaginal microbiomes of each of the women enrolled in the study. Some differences in the vaginal microbiota of postpartum women and those who were not postpartum were seen. More specifically, enrichment of three families, Lachnospiraceae, Ruminococcaceae, and Erysipelotrichaceae, was seen in women who were more than 12 weeks postpartum, but the effects of those differences remain unclear. Although our sample size was small, the lack of changes in the vaginal microbiome in women initiating long-acting progestin contraception is reassuring; further study in this area is needed.

Unintended pregnancies are a long-standing public health issue nationally, with percentages hovering around 50% for at least the last five years. Vermont is doing slightly better than the national average, but is faced with it's own challenges due to it's rural nature. Agencies and organizations, such as the World Health Organization, March of Dimes and the Vermont Department of Health have made decreasing unintended pregnancies one of their priorities to improve maternal and fetal health outcomes, as well as social and economic opportunities for families. Current evidence-based guidelines call for long- acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), including intrauterine devices (IUDs) and implants, as the first-line recommendation by healthcare providers for decreasing unintended pregnancies. This study, in collaboration with several Vermont state organizations and agencies, engaged healthcare professionals throughout the state with an electronically disseminated survey aimed at assessing their knowledge of LARCs. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether healthcare professionals caring for women of reproductive age, are using current evidence-based practice guidelines to counsel women in their contraceptive choices. Survey results revealed that the majority of the respondents consider themselves to be knowledgeable about and had received a high level of training in IUD counseling and/or insertion. Areas of uncertainty were primarily about side effects and the insertion and removal processes of the implant, as well as a few categories of medical eligibility. This was especially apparent when results were stratified by urban and rural regions of Vermont. Although there seems to be a high level of provider confidence in knowledge about LARCs and reported counseling of LARCs as first-line, there is a discrepancy between what providers think they know and current evidence based contraception guidelines. Many factors exist that could explain this discrepancy, including but not limited to lack of training, provider bias, and system barriers. This study aims to illuminate gaps in provider knowledge to improve uptake of LARCs and over time make a shift in the numbers of unintended pregnancies in Vermont.

Patient-centered contraceptive care is key for ensuring that individuals achieve their personal reproductive goals. Despite public health efforts, preventing undesired pregnancies and improving maternal and child health outcomes remains unresolved in the United States (US). In Tennessee (TN), the rate of unintended pregnancies remains higher than the national rate (32.4% vs. 30.3%). Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) are 99% effective in preventing undesired pregnancies; however, uptake remains low in rural and underserved communities. Previous research has provided some insight into women’s perceptions of LARCs; however, those guided by conceptual frameworks to understand the multiple influences that impact perceptions towards LARCs, especially among rural regions, are scarce. This multimethod qualitative study explored multiple influences that impact northeast Tennessee women’s perceptions and attitudes toward LARCs using the Socio-ecological Model (SEM) as a guiding framework. The qualitative study comprised six focus groups and seven individual interviews of women aged 18-44, not pregnant, and current residents of five Counties in Northeast TN. Participants’ demographics were captured through an anonymous survey administered through REDCap. Qualitative data from these sessions were recorded via Zoom, an online audio/video conferencing platform. Each interview and focus group lasted 60 to 90 minutes. Focus group and interview data were combined, transcribed, and uploaded into NVivo for thematic analysis. A priori list of codes identified from the constructs of the SEM was initially used to deductively code the data. Subsequently, the data were analyzed inductively for new codes and themes that did not apply to the a priori categories. Quotations that were representative of or inconsistent with the codes of interest were identified. Fifteen themes and 20 sub-themes were identified using the SEM; On the intrapersonal level of the SEM, participants’ attitudes towards a method, perception of method features, and perceived side effects were identified as themes that delineate influences on their LARC utilization. On the interpersonal level, perception of partner support, perceived support from peer/social networks, and provider trust were themes that describe influences on participants’ LARC utilization. On the community level, the cost of the method, access to information, perceived accessibility to a method, social services, and cultural norms themes were identified as influences on participants’ use of LARCs. On the organizational level, the availability of preferred methods in a clinic, the need for multiple clinic visits to enable the use of a method, and provider counseling practices were salient themes impacting LARC utilization. On the policy level, insurance, and billing policies, sex education policies were identified as impacting LARC utilization. The study presents multi-layered influences on LARC utilization among Northeast TN women, highlighting the utility of the SEM in understanding factors that influence contraceptive use. Findings are critical for programming as they highlight the areas of influence that can be addressed to increase LARC uptake and enable women in rural and underserved regions of the US to achieve personal reproductive goals.

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