Amanda E Bryson1, Howard J Cabral2, Mandy S Coles3. 1. Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. Electronic address: amanda.bryson@childrens.harvard.edu. 2. Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts. 3. Adolescent Center, Department of Pediatrics, Boston University Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts.
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess attendance of an initial follow-up visit after long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) insertion and whether follow-up was associated with a higher likelihood of method continuation in adolescents and young adults (AYAs). DESIGN: Retrospective chart review including patients receiving LARC (etonogestrel 68 mg implant, levonorgestrel 52 mg intrauterine device, or copper intrauterine device) between January 1, 2014, and August 1, 2017. SETTING: An urban adolescent center providing primary care and reproductive health services. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 331 patients 13-28 years of age. INTERVENTIONS: Attendance of a follow-up visit 4-8 weeks after LARC insertion. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Follow-up was defined as visits addressing LARC method or routine physical examinations in the adolescent center or affiliated school-based health clinics. Continuation and discontinuation were defined as documented presence or removal, respectively, of device at various time points. Descriptive analyses, χ2 test, Fisher exact test, t test, and survival analysis were used. RESULTS: Approximately one-third (29.3%) of the patients attended a follow-up visit. Follow-up was associated with a higher likelihood of LARC removal in the first year (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.33-3.32). At 500 days post-insertion and beyond, there was no difference in LARC continuation between AYAs who followed-up and those who did not (HR = 1.07, 95% CI 0.67-1.71). CONCLUSION: Few AYAs attended an initial follow-up visit after LARC placement. These visits were associated with an increased likelihood of LARC removal in the first year; however, this association was not observed long term. More information is needed to determine how to approach follow-up this population.
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess attendance of an initial follow-up visit after long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) insertion and whether follow-up was associated with a higher likelihood of method continuation in adolescents and young adults (AYAs). DESIGN: Retrospective chart review including patients receiving LARC (etonogestrel 68 mg implant, levonorgestrel 52 mg intrauterine device, or copper intrauterine device) between January 1, 2014, and August 1, 2017. SETTING: An urban adolescent center providing primary care and reproductive health services. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 331 patients 13-28 years of age. INTERVENTIONS: Attendance of a follow-up visit 4-8 weeks after LARC insertion. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Follow-up was defined as visits addressing LARC method or routine physical examinations in the adolescent center or affiliated school-based health clinics. Continuation and discontinuation were defined as documented presence or removal, respectively, of device at various time points. Descriptive analyses, χ2 test, Fisher exact test, t test, and survival analysis were used. RESULTS: Approximately one-third (29.3%) of the patients attended a follow-up visit. Follow-up was associated with a higher likelihood of LARC removal in the first year (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.33-3.32). At 500 days post-insertion and beyond, there was no difference in LARC continuation between AYAs who followed-up and those who did not (HR = 1.07, 95% CI 0.67-1.71). CONCLUSION: Few AYAs attended an initial follow-up visit after LARC placement. These visits were associated with an increased likelihood of LARC removal in the first year; however, this association was not observed long term. More information is needed to determine how to approach follow-up this population.