Association of State Funding for Comprehensive Reproductive Health Care With Use of Contraception Among Latina Patients and Non-Latina Patients in Oregon.

Importance: There are well-documented racial and ethnic disparities in effective contraceptive use due to multiple factors. A key contributor may be differential insurance coverage and patient costs. The Oregon Reproductive Health Equity Act (RHEA), enacted in 2017, ensures full coverage of reproductive health care without cost sharing for all Oregonians with low income. Objective: To assess whether removing financial barriers to accessing contraceptive care is associated with an improvement in use of moderately and highly effective contraceptive methods among Latina women compared with non-Latina women. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study included women aged 12 to 51 years who sought contraceptive care in the Oregon Health Authority Reproductive Health Program from April 2016 to March 2020. Patients using permanent contraception, those missing data on ethnicity, and non-Oregon residents were excluded. Data analysis was performed in January 2021. Exposures: Contraceptive care in the Reproductive Health Program after RHEA implementation. Main Outcomes and Measures: The main outcome was prevalence of use of moderately effective methods (contraceptive pills, patch, ring, or injection) or highly effective methods (long-acting reversible contraceptives) at the time of the contraceptive visit. Difference-in-differences analysis was used to compare moderately and highly effective contraception use between Latina and non-Latina patients. Secondary outcomes were proportions of adoption or continuation of moderately and highly effective methods, prevalence of highly effective methods, and adoption or continuation of highly effective methods. The unit of analysis was at the clinic visit level. Results: The study sample consisted of 295 604 evaluable clinic visits, in which 28.4% of individuals identified as Latina and 71.6% of individuals identified as non-Latina. The mean (SD) age was 25.5 (8.1) years. With difference-in-differences analysis, there was a significant adjusted 1.9 percentage point (95% CI, 0.2-3.6 percentage points) increase in prevalence of moderately or highly effective contraceptive methods for Latina patients compared with non-Latina patients. There were no significant differences for other outcomes of interest. Conclusions: This cohort study found that in Oregon, legislation removing financial barriers to accessing contraceptive care was associated with significant mitigation in disparate moderately and highly effective contraceptive method prevalence for Latina patients compared with non-Latina patients. The findings suggest that state funds successfully supplanted federal funds to enable continued robust comprehensive family planning services after withdrawal from Title X.

Contraceptive services in Oregon's state-funded network during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVES: To understand how changes to in-person health care during the COVID pandemic impacted contraceptive use in Oregon's state-funded network. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort of 245,600 visits (virtual and in-person) among 70,295 women presenting to publicly funded family planning clinics in Oregon between January 2019 and June 2021. Data were abstracted from clinic records and restricted to visits of patients identifying as female, 12-51 years old, not using sterilization as a method. Contraception was grouped by effectiveness Tier (Tier 1: intrauterine device, implants; Tier 2: progestin injectable, pill/patch/ring). Multivariable logistic regression predicted the use of contraception by stage of the COVID pandemic which corresponded to service availability (prepandemic, acute: nonemergency services halted, subacute: restricted services), patient demographics, including insurance type, and clinic and geospatial characteristics. RESULTS: Overall during the acute stage, people with visits were more likely to leave with a method of contraception odds ratios (OR) 1.39 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.24-1.57); however, it was significantly less likely to be a Tier 1 method (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.74-0.91) as compared to prepandemic. This finding was particularly marked in rural areas (OR 0.69 [96% CI 0.58-0.83]) and among the publicly insured (OR 0.87 [95% CI 0.80-0.94]). CONCLUSIONS: Demand for contraception increased during the acute phase of the COVID pandemic, and shifts in method mix from Tier 1 to Tier 2 methods occurred. Disparities in contraceptive access persisted for those in rural locations or with public insurance. IMPLICATIONS: Lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic are critical to informing our future emergency response. The need for family planning services increased during the public health emergency.

Expanded Access to Postabortion Contraception under Oregon's Reproductive Health Equity Act.

OBJECTIVE: We describe the first 24 months of expanded family planning services for low-income immigrants under Oregon's Reproductive Health Equity Act. We examined postabortion contraceptive use in rural versus urban locations. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a historical cohort study of abortion services reimbursed under the Reproductive Health Equity Act in the first 2 years after its implementation (2018 and 2019). Our primary outcome was shift in contraceptive tier from a less effective method before an abortion to a more effective contraceptive method after an abortion. Our key independent variable was residence in a metropolitan or nonmetropolitan area. We tested the association of nonmetropolitan residence and shift to a tier 1 or tier 2 method after the abortion, controlling for other factors, using logistic regression. RESULTS: Our analysis included 625 abortions from across the state. After an abortion, 68% of women transitioned to a more effective form of contraception. Nonmetropolitan residence was not significantly associated with a shift from no method or a tier 3 method to tier 1 or tier 2 method (adjusted odds ratio, 1.28; 95% confidence interval, 0.81-2.02) compared with metropolitan residence. CONCLUSIONS: The program was successful in helping women not wishing pregnancy to transition to a more effective contraceptive method postabortion, regardless of metropolitan location of residence.

Women's Access to Abortion Care Under Oregon's Reproductive Health Equity Act.

This cohort study describes the first 24 months of abortion services covered under Oregon's Reproductive Health Equity Act and distances traveled by women to receive care.

Feasibility of a Multicomponent Breast Health Education Intervention for Vietnamese American Immigrant Women.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To determine the feasibility and acceptability of an intervention with targeted cultural and health belief messages to increase rates of mammography among Vietnamese American (VA) immigrant women. 
. DESIGN: One-group, pre-/post-test, pilot, quasiexperimental design.
. SETTING: Portland, Oregon, metropolitan area. 
. SAMPLE: 40 VA immigrant women aged 50 years or older.
. METHODS: Participants who had not had a mammogram within the past 12 months were recruited. The intervention consisted of one interactive group teaching session, followed by individual counseling delivered about 10 days later to overcome barriers to screening. Participants completed a baseline survey prior to the group teaching and again at 12 weeks after the session.
. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: The intervention, guided by the Transtheoretical Model of Change and the Health Belief Model, involved movement in stage of change based on women's readiness, as well as perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits, perceived common barriers, and perceived cultural barriers. Mammogram completion and knowledge of breast cancer and mammography were examined.
. FINDINGS: The recruitment response rate was 58%. Knowledge about breast cancer, breast cancer susceptibility, and the benefits of mammography as related to breast cancer significantly increased following the intervention.
. CONCLUSIONS: Acceptability of the targeted program, good feasibility, and very low attrition was achieved. 
. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: This intervention can be adapted for other populations, including other Asian groups, and other cancer screenings.

A Longitudinal Examination of Stages of Change Model Applied to Mammography Screening.

Application of behavior change theories to ethnically diverse groups is limited. In a secondary analysis of intervention study data, we tested the validity of the transtheoretical model (TTM) of change among Chinese American immigrant women. Three hundred mammography non-adherent women were randomized to an intervention or control group. Compared with contemplators (60%), precontemplators reported higher perceived mammography barriers (p < .001) and lower breast cancer susceptibility (p < .01). Baseline contemplators were 1.5 times more likely to have a mammogram post intervention compared with precontemplators. Upward shift in stage of change was higher in the intervention than the control group at 3 months (odds ratio [OR] = 6.14), 6 months (OR = 4.82), and 12 months (OR = 2.85). Women with an upward shift at 3 months were more likely to complete mammography at 12 months (OR = 15.44). The results supported the TTM stages of change. Education targeted to Chinese women's stages of change has significant potential to decrease breast cancer screening disparities.

Mammography Screening of Chinese Immigrant Women: Ever Screened Versus Never Screened.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To compare the differences in mammogram completion rates over time between Chinese American women with and without a history of mammogram screening
. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of a randomized, controlled intervention study. SETTING: Metropolitan areas of Portland, Oregon. SAMPLE: 300 foreign-born Chinese immigrant women aged 40 years or older. Of these, 83 women (28%) had never had a mammogram. METHODS: Participants who had not been screened with a mammogram within the past 12 months were randomized into either an education group or a control (brochure) group. All participants completed a baseline survey, which was administered again at 3, 6, and 12 months
. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Mammography history, breast cancer knowledge, perceived risks, susceptibility, benefits, and common and cultural barriers
. FINDINGS: Women who had never been screened were less likely to have insurance, a regular healthcare provider, or to have been instructed to have a mammogram. Postintervention in the education group, mammogram completion was not significantly different between those with or without a history of screening (p = 0.52). In the control brochure group, significantly more women with a history of screening had a mammogram (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Practitioners must be aware of differential effects of education on mammography cancer screening based on women's history of screening
. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Print material may not be as effective with women who have never been screened with a mammogram. Targeted approaches based on such understanding has the potential to decrease the breast cancer screening disparity among Chinese immigrant women
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Breast Health Intervention Effects on Knowledge and Beliefs Over Time Among Chinese American Immigrants--a Randomized Controlled Study.

Chinese American immigrant women, nonadherent with mammography in the past 12 months, (N = 300) were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial designed to change knowledge and beliefs and increase mammogram use. This report describes intervention effects on changes in knowledge and beliefs between the control and educational groups over four time points (baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months). Variables measured included knowledge, perceived susceptibility, perceived general barriers to mammography, perceived benefits to mammography, and four cultural barriers to mammography (crisis orientation, modesty, use of Eastern medicine, reliance on others). At all three post-intervention time points, women in the education group had significantly higher knowledge scores than those in the control group, regardless of whether they had completed a mammogram during the study. Women in the education group reported higher perceived susceptibility to breast cancer at 3-month post-intervention. At 3- and 6-month post-intervention, regardless of mammogram screening completion, women reported lower concerns about modesty related to mammography when compared to the control group. By the 12-month post-intervention, women in the education group reported significantly fewer perceived barriers than the control group. A targeted breast health program successfully changed breast health knowledge and beliefs that were sustained for up to 6-12 months. Education targeted to women's knowledge and beliefs has significant potential for decreasing disparity in mammogram use among Chinese American immigrant women.

A breast health educational program for Chinese-American women: 3- to 12-month postintervention effect.

PURPOSE: To test the efficacy of a culturally targeted breast cancer screening educational program in increasing mammogram completion in Chinese-American immigrant women. DESIGN: Randomized controlled study. SETTING: Chinese communities, Portland, Oregon. SUBJECTS: From April 2010 to September 2011, 300 women were randomized to receive a theory-based, culturally targeted breast cancer screening educational intervention (n = 147) or a mammography screening brochure published by the National Cancer Institute (n = 153). INTERVENTION: The two-part intervention consisted of group teaching with targeted, theory-based messages followed by individual counseling sessions. MEASURES: Mammography completion, perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, perceived cultural barriers, and demographic variables. ANALYSIS: A 2 × 3 mixed logistic model was applied to determine odds ratio of mammogram completion. RESULTS: Behavior changed in both groups, with a total of 170 participants (56.7%) reporting a mammogram at 12 months. The logistic model indicated increased odds of mammogram completion in the intervention compared to the control group at 3, 6, and 12 months. When controlling for marital status, age, and age moved to the United States, the intervention group was nine times more likely to complete mammograms than the control group. CONCLUSION: The culturally targeted educational program significantly increased mammogram use among Chinese immigrant women. Further testing of effectiveness in larger community settings is needed. The intervention may also serve as a foundation from which to develop education to increase cancer screening among other minority subgroups.

Feasibility of a targeted breast health education intervention for Chinese American immigrant women.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To assess the feasibility and acceptability of a targeted educational intervention to increase mammography screening among Chinese American women. DESIGN: One-group pre- and post-test quasiexperimental design. SETTING: Metropolitan areas of Portland, OR. SAMPLE: 44 foreign-born Chinese American women aged 40 years and older. METHODS: Participants who had not had a mammogram within the past 12 months were recruited and enrolled to a targeted breast health educational program. Before starting the group session, participants completed a baseline survey, which was administered again 12 weeks postintervention. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Completion of mammography screening test, movement in stage of readiness, mammography and breast cancer knowledge, perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits, and perceived common and cultural barriers. FINDINGS: The study response rate was high (71%). Of the 42 women who completed the study, 21 (50%) had a mammogram postintervention. The top three reasons for not completing a mammogram at the end of the study were no need or no symptom, busy, and reliance on family for assistance. Mean breast cancer susceptibility scores increased significantly at post-test as theorized (t[40] = -2.88, p < 0.01). Participants were more likely to obtain a mammogram when they had been in the United States for 3-15 years. CONCLUSIONS: A targeted program that aims to increase breast health knowledge, improve access, and remove barriers may promote mammography screening among Chinese American immigrant women. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: This promising intervention now being tested under a randomized, controlled design can be adapted to other Asian subgroups. KNOWLEDGE TRANSLATION: Targeted breast health intervention is feasible for improving mammography screening among Chinese immigrant women. Educating these women about early detection is important, as the first sign of breast cancer usually shows on a woman's mammogram before it can be felt or any other symptoms are present. Immigrant women may be too busy to dedicate proper time to self-care behaviors; therefore, making it easier and faster for them to obtain a mammogram may improve the screening rate.

Sleep-wake patterns of school-age children and adolescents before diagnosis and during induction chemotherapy for acute lymphocytic leukemia.

Sleep disturbances are commonly reported by children receiving chemotherapy for leukemia. Sleep patterns before diagnosis and during induction chemotherapy were evaluated in 38 children (7 to 18 years old). Child Sleep Assessment (CSA) was used to evaluate sleep patterns prior to diagnosis. Sleep diaries and actigraphy were used during chemotherapy. Adolescents went to bed later and awakened later than school-age children before diagnosis and during chemotherapy. During chemotherapy, children averaged 60 minutes of nighttime wake time. The early recognition of sleep problems associated with disease, treatment, and age is important for school-age children and adolescents with leukemia.