Effect of shared contraceptive experiences on IUD use at an urban abortion clinic

We studied the effect of contraceptive social networking on postabortion intrauterine device (IUD) uptake. This study explores whether women who have heard personal stories of IUD use are more likely to use an IUD for postabortion contraception.

We surveyed 299 women undergoing induced abortion at San Francisco General Hospital's Women's Options Center before and after contraceptive counseling. Both English- and Spanish-speaking women, aged 15 years and older, were surveyed.

Fifty percent of women surveyed chose to use an IUD for postabortion contraception. Women choosing IUDs were more likely than women choosing other contraceptives or no contraceptives to be multiparous, Latina and interested in IUDs prior to contraceptive counseling. Disclosure of personal IUD use by a clinic staff member was independently associated with the decision to use an IUD (odds ratio 8.1, 95% confidence interval 3.8-17.2).

Women undergoing abortion in an urban clinic have knowledge and high acceptance of IUDs, and sharing of contraceptive experiences is common among women of all demographics. Controlling for demographics and prior knowledge of IUDs, sharing of personal IUD experiences by providers is significantly associated with IUD use.