Pregnancy and family planning choices of birthing people in the Parent and Child assistance Program (PCAP)

Little research exists surrounding vulnerable birthing people and their relationships with planning and preventing pregnancy. This study aims to better describe services and barriers that impact family planning choices, including housing, primary care provider accessibility, and insurance access among participants in the Parent Child Assistance Program (PCAP). Participant data was derived from 59 participants enrolled in PCAP, a case management program for birthing people who use substances. Amongst the participants who were recently pregnant, 7/59 (12%) were using birth control around the time of conception of that pregnancy. Of the participants who were not recently pregnant, 53% of clients were using birth control upon intake. This figure rises incrementally by 24 months. Data showed that those with health insurance are almost twice as likely to be using contraceptives at intake. The low prevalence of birth control use even after a recent pregnancy suggests significant barriers still exist in terms of education and access to family planning resources for birthing people. This indicates the need for targeted interventions and supports that empower birthing people to make decisions about their reproductive health.