Birth-Intention Time Horizon as a Predictor of Contraceptive Method Effectiveness.

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Contraception Research
• Public Health

Background:

• Current contraceptive research and programs often prioritize *if* women want children over *when*.
• This study investigates the relationship between intended duration to the next birth and contraceptive method choice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if a woman's intended duration to a (next) birth predicts her contraceptive method choice.
• To analyze how birth-timing intentions correlate with the effectiveness of chosen contraceptive methods.

Main Methods:

• Data from 7,324 women in Delaware and Maryland surveys were analyzed.
• Birth-timing intentions were categorized (e.g., <2 years, uncertain, ≥2 years, no children).
• Contraceptive methods were classified by effectiveness (highly, moderately, less effective, none); multinomial logistic regression was used.

Main Results:

• Longer intended duration to birth correlated with increased use of highly effective methods (e.g., IUDs, implants).
• Probability of using no method decreased as intended birth duration increased.
• Uncertainty about birth timing was associated with significantly lower use of any contraceptive method.

Conclusions:

• Contraceptive counseling and program design should consider detailed birth-timing intentions, not just immediate desires.
• Understanding long-term birth intentions is crucial for effective contraceptive method selection and access.