THE Sphere Centre of Research Excellence at Monash University is advancing contraceptive knowledge for young women in rural and remote Australia through its Extend-Prefer study.
Findings from the study, published in Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare, reveal that young women in these areas face a 1.4 times higher likelihood of unintended pregnancies compared to their urban counterparts, largely due to limited access to sexual health information and services.
The study assessed the effectiveness of an educational video tailored for women aged 16 to 25, designed to improve awareness and preferences for effective contraception, particularly long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) like intrauterine devices and implants.
Of interest to prescribing pharmacists is that while the video increased contraceptive knowledge, the study revealed that preferences for effective methods did not consistently lead to usage, suggesting that structural barriers like cost, limited providers, and stigma hinder access.
Prof Danielle Mazza, lead author and head of Monash University's Department of General Practice, emphasised the broader consequences of unintended pregnancies, including health and economic impacts.
"Women with an unintended pregnancy are more likely to experience depression, pre-term birth, and have an infant with low birth weight," she explained.
"Designed to increase knowledge of all methods of contraception, including LARC as the most effective method, the research addressed many of the questions and concerns young women have about contraception, including their effectiveness and common side effects," Prof Mazza said. JG
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