Prenatal Incarceration Exposure and Postpartum Contraceptive Use: Findings from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment...

The objective of the current study was to assess whether prenatal incarceration exposure is associated with postpartum contraceptive use.

Using pooled cross-sectional data from Phase 8 (2016-2021) of the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (n = 111,616) from 26 sites (25 states and New York City), we examined associations between incarceration exposure (i.e., direct or vicarious through husband/partner) in the 12 months before birth and postpartum contraceptive use. We estimated survey-weighted bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses to examine associations between prior incarceration and type of contraceptive use.

Overall, 2.7% of respondents reported personal or vicarious incarceration exposure via a spouse or partner, and 82.9% of respondents reported postpartum contraceptive use. Respondents exposed to incarceration had lower odds of using any postpartum contraception compared to those without exposure (aOR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.60-0.78). Incarceration exposure was associated with a lower odds of condom use among those using contraception (aOR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.72-0.98) and a higher odds of abstinence (aOR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.36-1.91).

These findings demonstrate the need for coordinated efforts across medical, public health, and criminal justice systems to improve postpartum contraceptive support for individuals affected by incarceration.