Date of Graduation

Fall 12-15-2017

Document Access

Project/Capstone - Global access

Degree Name

Master of Public Health (MPH)

College/School

School of Nursing and Health Professions

First Advisor

Erin Grinshteyn

Abstract

Previous studies have identified pregnancy intention to correlate with both maternal and fetal health. Though unintended pregnancy rates are dropping in America, they remain high among minority and young women. Contraceptive usage, a leading protective factor for unintended pregnancies, has been found to vary greatly by age and ethnicity. These two projects aimed to decrease unintended pregnancy rates through increasing patient knowledge of contraceptive options and correct usage. The first project focused on creating a comprehensive, oral contraceptive pill instructional handout for research participants of the birth control pill study. This handout was created through the analysis of compliance errors made by current study participants. Statistical analysis found that participants who started their pills after receiving the handout were more likely use their pills correctly than participants without the handout. Future research in this area should include a larger sample size. The second project used subject recruitment as a platform to educate college-aged women in sororities about their contraceptive options, mainly LARCs. This project has yet to be implemented, so future steps will lead to its implementation followed by program evaluation through electronic surveys. Community programs that strengthen patient knowledge of contraceptives and proper use should be implemented. Additionally, policy reform should focus on the availability of contraceptive use instructions and sexual health outreach in college campuses.

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