Video counseling about emergency contraception: an observational study

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Public Health Interventions
• Clinical Trial Design

Background:

• Emergency contraception (EC) is crucial for preventing unintended pregnancies.
• Access to clear and concise information on EC methods is vital for informed decision-making.
• Previous methods of EC counseling may not be fully effective in conveying all options.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of a 3-minute video counseling intervention on emergency contraception (EC) dispensing.
• To evaluate changes in EC method selection following the introduction of video counseling.
• To determine if the intervention improved client knowledge of EC options.

Main Methods:

• A quasi-experimental design was employed across six Planned Parenthood clinics.
• Data were collected from electronic health records and client surveys pre- and post-intervention.
• Difference-in-difference analysis compared EC distribution between intervention and control sites.

Main Results:

• Ulipristal provision increased from 12% to 28% at intervention sites (p<.001), with no change at control sites.
• Clients at intervention sites were significantly more likely to receive ulipristal (aOR 3.4).
• The video intervention accounted for an 18% increase in ulipristal provision; 19% watched the video, and 60% reported it influenced their choice.

Conclusions:

• Video counseling effectively increased the uptake of more effective oral emergency contraception.
• The intervention enhanced client knowledge regarding all available EC methods, although IUD uptake remained low.
• Brief informational videos can be a valuable tool in family planning settings to improve EC method selection.