An Initiative "that you do for one person": Identifying Barriers and Facilitators to Implementing an Immediate Postpartum LARC Initiative in Florida Hospitals.

INTRODUCTION: In the United States (U.S.), perinatal quality improvement collaboratives have pursued implementing immediate postpartum long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) initiatives to increase people's access to contraception and support their fertility desires. This process evaluation aimed to identify barriers and facilitators to implementing an immediate postpartum LARC initiative in Florida. METHODS: Data collection included in-depth qualitative assessments (i.e., interviews, small focus group discussions) with hospitals in pre- and early stages of the implementation process. Snowball sampling was used to recruit participants. Interviews were conducted in-person or via Zoom or phone and were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Four of the five domains within the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (e.g., process, intervention characteristics, inner and outer settings) informed the study design and data collection/analysis. RESULTS: Fourteen staff of diverse job roles from five hospitals participated. Factors that facilitated implementation were the strength of the evidence, relative advantage, internal and external networks, and engaging staff. Barriers to implementation included billing and reimbursement and needing significant support from external networks to progress through implementation phases. DISCUSSION: Findings suggest that depending on the task or phase, multiple factors work in tandem to serve as implementation barriers and facilitators. Additionally, evaluating hospitals' progress at the pre- and early implementation phases was critical for quickly finding solutions and benefited other hospitals in different stages. As this initiative requires substantial support, health systems should create and sustain a culture of excellence and efficiency to facilitate implementing initiatives that improve care quality.

Coercion and non-consent during birth and newborn care in the United States.

In the United States, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) experience more adverse health outcomes and report mistreatment during pregnancy and birth care. The rights to bodily autonomy and consent are core components of high-quality health care. To assess experiences of coercion and nonconsent for procedures during perinatal care among racialized service users in the United States, we analyzed data from the Giving Voice to Mothers (GVtM-US) study. METHODS: In a subset analysis of the full sample of 2700, we examined survey responses for participants who described the experience of pressure or nonconsented procedures or intervention during perinatal care. We conducted multivariable logistic regression analyses by racial and ethnic identity for the outcomes: pressure to have perinatal procedures (eg, induction, epidurals, episiotomy, fetal monitoring), nonconsented procedures performed during perinatal care, pressure to have a cesarean birth, and nonconsented procedures during vaginal births. RESULTS: Among participants (n = 2490), 34% self-identified as BIPOC, and 37% had a planned hospital birth. Overall, we found significant differences in pressure and nonconsented perinatal procedures by racial and ethnic identity. These inequities persisted even after controlling for contextual factors, such as birthplace, practitioner type, and prenatal care context. For example, more participants with Black racial identity experienced nonconsented procedures during perinatal care (AOR 1.89, 95% CI 1.35-2.64) and vaginal births (AOR 1.87, 95% CI 1.23-2.83) than those identifying as white. In addition, people who identified as other minoritized racial and ethnic identities reported experiencing more pressure to accept perinatal procedures (AOR 1.55, 95% CI 1.08-2.20) than those who were white. DISCUSSION: There is a need to address human rights violations in perinatal care for all birthing people with particular attention to the needs of those identifying as BIPOC. By eliminating mistreatment in perinatal care, such as pressure to accept services and nonconsented procedures, we can help mitigate long-standing inequities.

Health literacy needs and preferences for a technology-based intervention to improve college students' sexual and reproductive health.

Objective: To explore health literacy needs and preferences for a technology-based intervention (app) to improve sexual and reproductive health (SRH) among college students.Participants: In Spring 2019, in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 participants (10 male, 10 female) from a large, public university.Methods: Interview guide was developed based on Integrated Model of Health Literacy domains and Diffusion of Innovation constructs. Data were analyzed in MaxQDA using applied thematic analysis.Results: Dominant themes included accessing health information and services, evaluating options to make decisions, intervention utility and characteristics, and the emergent theme of credibility. Specific topics included accessing STI testing, contraceptive decision making, information on human papillomavirus (HPV) and the HPV vaccine, patient-provider communication, app design and function elements, and modifying the app to meet the SRH needs of diverse college students.Conclusions: Findings identified areas where an app could address college students' SRH literacy, ultimately improving SRH outcomes among this population.Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2022.2040517 .

Understanding young Black women's socialisation and perceptions of sexual and reproductive health.

Although sexual and reproductive health inequities acutely and disproportionately affect Black women in the USA, there are few studies that consider the sociocultural context in which Black women transition to adulthood and develop their sexuality. The objective of this study was to describe the lived realities of young Black women to elucidate how the sociocultural context informs their current perceptions of sexual and reproductive health. We conducted phenomenological interviews with 22 Black women aged 18-29 years to elicit their life stories. The main categories identified in the findings include how the sociocultural environment informs the self-concept; how the sociocultural environment informs early learning about sexual health; and how together these experiences inform women's development of a sexual self-concept. Three main groupings of experiences were identified relative to women's sexual self-concept: fear-based disease and pregnancy prevention; a deeper understanding of bodies and sexuality beyond disease and pregnancy prevention; and sexual pleasure and fulfilment as a priority. To address ongoing sexual and reproductive health inequities that particularly disadvantage young Black women, health systems and interventions should address the sociocultural contexts in which young Black women develop and manage their sexual health.

"My 9 to 5 Job Is Birth Work": A Case Study of Two Compensation Approaches for Community Doula Care.

With the increased policy emphasis on promoting doula care to advance birth equity in the United States, there is a vital need to identify sustainable and equitable approaches for compensation of community doulas, who serve clients experiencing the greatest barriers to optimal pregnancy-related outcomes. This case study explores two different approaches for compensating doulas (contractor versus hourly employment with benefits) utilized by SisterWeb San Francisco Community Doula Network in San Francisco, California. We conducted qualitative interviews with SisterWeb doulas in 2020 and 2021 and organizational leaders in 2020. Overall, leaders and doulas reported that the contractor approach, in which doulas were paid a flat fee per client, did not adequately compensate doulas, who regularly attend trainings and provide additional support for their clients (e.g., referrals to promote housing and food security). Additionally, this approach did not provide doulas with healthcare benefits, which was especially concerning during the COVID-19 pandemic. As hourly, benefited employees, doulas experienced a greater sense of financial security and wellbeing from receiving consistent pay, compensation for all time worked, and benefits such as health insurance and sick leave, allowing some to dedicate themselves to birth work. Our study suggests that efforts to promote community doula care must integrate structural solutions to provide appropriate compensation and benefits to doulas, simultaneously advancing birth equity and equitable labor conditions for community doulas.

Modesty and Security: Attributes Associated with Comfort and Willingness to Engage in Telelactation.

The objectives were to identify conditions under which mothers may be willing to use telelactation and explore associations between participant characteristics, willingness, and beliefs regarding telelactation use. Mothers 2-8 weeks postpartum were recruited from two Florida maternal care sites and surveyed to assess demographics, breastfeeding initiation, and potential telelactation use. Analyses included descriptive statistics and logistic regression models. Of the 88 participants, most were white, married, earned less than USD 50,000 per year, had access to technology, and were willing to use telelactation if it was free (80.7%) or over a secure server (63.6%). Fifty-six percent were willing to use telelactation if it involved feeding the baby without a cover, but only 45.5% were willing if their nipples may be seen. Those with higher odds of willingness to use telelactation under these modesty conditions were experienced using videochat, white, married, and of higher income. Mothers with security concerns had six times the odds of being uncomfortable with telelactation compared to mothers without concerns. While telelactation can improve access to critical services, willingness to use telelactation may depend on conditions of use and sociodemographics. During the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, these findings offer important insights for lactation professionals implementing virtual consultations.

Understanding Technology Fit Among People with HIV Based on Intersections of Race, Sex, and Sexual Behavior: An Equitable Approach to Analyzing Differences Across Multiple Social Identities.

HIV disproportionately impacts individuals based on intersecting categories (e.g. gender, race/ethnicity, behavior), with groups most at-risk deemed priority populations. Using weighted effects coding to account for differential group sizes, this study used multilevel mixed logistic models to investigate differences in eHealth use and willingness to use eHealth for HIV-related information among priority populations. Compared to the sample average, Black men who had sex with women were less likely to use all technologies except cellphones with text-messaging and less likely to be willing to use computers and tablets. White and Hispanic men who had sex with men were more likely to use all technologies. No significant differences existed for use or willingness to use cellphones with text-messaging. Future research should consider approaches used here to account for equity and multiple intersecting social identities; practitioners may use these findings or similar local data to ensure fit between eHealth programs and priority populations.

"When Is Health Care Actually Going to Be Care?" The Lived Experience of Family Planning Care Among Young Black Women.

While family planning care (FPC) visits may serve as opportunities to address gaps in knowledge and access to limited resources, young Black women may also face structural barriers (i.e., racism, discrimination, bias) to engaging in care due to the intersections of racial identity, age, and socioeconomic status. Findings from interviews with 22 Black women, ages 18 to 29 years, about the lived experience of FPC highlighted dynamic patient-provider encounters. Women's narratives uncovered the following essences: silence around sex impedes engagement in care, patient-provider racial concordance as protection from harm, providers as a source of discouragement and misinformation, frustration as a normative experience, decision making excludes discussion and deliberation, medical mistrust is pervasive and a part of Black consciousness, and meaningful and empathic patient-provider encounters are elusive. Health systems should prioritize developing and enhancing young Black women's relationship with FPC providers to help mitigate persistent inequities that perpetuate disadvantage among this population.

Exploring college students' sexual and reproductive health literacy.

Objective: To assess college students' sexual and reproductive health (SRH) literacy experiences, specific to contraception use and STI prevention. Participants: In Spring 2015, participants (n = 43) from a large institution participated in six focus groups (two male and four females groups). Methods: Focus groups were guided by the health literacy domains (access; understand; appraise; apply); data were analyzed in MaxQDA using the constant comparative method. Results: The Internet was the most commonly accessed source for SRH information. Participants discussed facilitators (eg, use of visuals) and barriers (eg, medical jargon) to understanding information; and personal lifestyle, advice from family/friends, symptoms, and sexual partners as appraisal factors. Participants applied information by communicating with friends/providers and seeking healthcare. However, findings were not linear nor mutually exclusive, representing the interaction of health literacy skills. Conclusion: Findings suggest that a patient-centered intervention capitalizing on technology and trusted individuals (providers/peer educators) may facilitate college students' SRH literacy.

Patients and providers' knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding immediate postpartum long-acting reversible contraception: a systematic review.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) immediately postpartum for preventing unintended pregnancy. This systematic review identified patients' and providers' knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding immediate postpartum LARC use. Web of Science, Embase, PubMed, PsychInfo, and CINHAL databases (from inception to December 2018) were searched using LARC and immediate postpartum as search terms. The inclusion criteria were observational US studies, peer-reviewed, and English language, and the exclusion criterion was published abstracts only. The search yielded 4140 articles, and 18 articles were included in the final sample. Articles focused on women (n = 6) emphasizing patient preferences about the use of postpartum intrauterine devices (IUDs) and comprised samples of postpartum women. Among articles focused on providers (n = 12), knowledge regarding immediate postpartum LARCs varied. Providers reported lack of training and lack of comfort with regard to counseling and insertion as barriers to providing postpartum IUDs. This review identified literature regarding patient and provider perspectives on immediate postpartum LARC. Future work should ascertain patients' and providers' needs and preferences for integrating LARC counseling as a viable contraception option during the immediate postpartum period, ultimately promoting optimal inter-pregnancy intervals and overall health for women and future offspring.

Application of a Health Literacy Framework to Explore Patients' Knowledge of the Link between HPV and Cancer.

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted infection and causes most oropharyngeal (e.g., throat) and anogenital (e.g., anal, cervical) cancers. Research indicates low knowledge about the link between HPV and cancer among the general population, and similar low knowledge of HPV among individuals diagnosed with HPV-associated cancers. This is important because HPV status can have implications for treatment, prognosis, and future sexual decisions. Using a health literacy framework, this study explored how patients diagnosed with HPV-associated cancers accessed, understood, appraised, and applied HPV information. We conducted 27 in-depth interviews with patients seeking care at a comprehensive cancer center; and data were analyzed using applied thematic analysis. Findings revealed that patients' primary source of HPV information was medical providers (access); and many patients exhibited limited understanding of HPV and its role in their cancer diagnosis (understand). Most patients (17 of 27) did not mention HPV as the cause of their cancer. Many patients displayed difficulty connecting HPV with their lifestyles (appraise); and few discussed plans to engage in HPV prevention practices going forward (apply). Future research should focus on strategies to improve understanding of HPV which could increase vaccine uptake, reduce stigma, and enhance informed decision-making among HPV-associated cancer patients.

Exploring the Effect of Sharing Common Facebook Friends on the Sexual Risk Behaviors of Tinder Users.

An increasing number of young adults are using online dating sites and mobile apps. The "common connections" feature on Tinder displays mutual Facebook friends between users and might serve as an unintentional validation of a user's character. This study investigates condom use differences between partners met via mobile dating apps or in-person; and if the "common connections" feature affects the perceived sexual risk Tinder users have toward partners met online. College students who met a partner online or in-person in the past year were recruited from a large metropolitan university to complete an online survey. Participants answered questions about sexual risk behavior, condom use, Tinder use, and the effect "common connections" could have on sexual risk behaviors. The likelihood of condomless vaginal sex was no different if participants met their partner through an app or in-person. Among a subset of participants who reported using Tinder, having "common connections" with a potential date decreased the likelihood that they would talk to their date about HIV (p = 0.004) or STI testing (p = 0.001). The "common connections" feature on Tinder might influence sexual decision-making because users are able to evaluate potential dates based on their social network. Our findings suggest that Tinder users may (1) perceive partners with whom they share "common connections" as familiar or "safe," which may give users a false sense of security about the sexual health risks that a potential date may pose or (2) be hesitant to discuss sexual health matters with partners who are within their sexual network due to fear of potential gossip. Both lines of thought may reduce safer sex behaviors among sex partners who meet on Tinder.

Is Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptive Use Increasing? Assessing Trends Among U.S. College Women, 2008-2013.

Objective To assess LARC use trends among college women (18-24 years) and identify groups that have increased LARC use. Methods Data were extracted from the National College Health Assessment-II (NCHA-II) fall 2008-2013 surveys. Logistic regression statistics were used to assess LARC use. Results Although LARC use increased from 2008 to 2013 (aOR = 2.62; 95% CI 2.23-3.07), less than half of the sample (44%) reported using contraception at last vaginal sex. Only 2.5% of college women in this study reported using a LARC method; of LARC users, 90% reported using an intrauterine device. Nearly all sociodemographic factors were significantly associated with increases in LARC use including: age, sexual orientation, and insurance status. Conclusions LARC use significantly increased among college women. However, less effective methods such as condoms and short-acting reversible contraceptives are used more frequently. Promoting LARC use for women who desire to effectively prevent pregnancy can reduce unintended pregnancy and improve health outcomes for women while in college. Future work should examine the importance of individual and lifestyle factors that influence college women's decision to choose a LARC method and seek to eliminate barriers to college women choosing a contraceptive method they believe works best for them.