Current and past depressive symptoms and contraceptive effectiveness level method selected among women seeking reproductive health services.

RATIONALE: More thoroughly understanding the association between elevated depressive symptoms and effectiveness level of contraceptive method selected at a reproductive health visit could help women prevent unintended pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE

This study examined how the association between both current and past depressive symptoms and effectiveness level of contraceptive method selected at a clinic visit varies by type of reproductive health visit.

METHODS

Current and past depressive symptoms and contraceptive method selected were assessed among 1215 women aged 18-25 years seeking general reproductive health or abortion services at 40 community clinics throughout the United States. Using standard categories of effectiveness based on pregnancy rates during typical use, women's contraceptive method selected was coded as a low (e.g., no method, withdrawal, condoms), moderately (pill, patch, ring, or shot), or highly effective method (IUD, sterilization, implant). Depression status was divided into four categories: 1) no elevated depressive symptoms ever, 2) current elevated depressive symptoms only, 3) past elevated depressive symptoms only, and 4) past and current elevated depressive symptoms. Visit type, general reproductive health versus abortion care, was a moderator. The interaction effect between depressive symptoms and visit type on contraceptive method effectiveness level chosen was estimated with multinomial logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

In general reproductive health visits, having both elevated current and past depressive symptoms increased women's likelihood of choosing low versus moderately effective methods (RRR = 5.63, 95% CI = 2.31 to 13.71, p < .0005). In contrast, among abortion patients, only current elevated depressive symptoms were associated with choosing high versus moderate effectiveness methods (RRR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.06 to 2.86, p = .029).

CONCLUSION

Results suggest that considering both women's current and past elevated depressive symptoms and the type of reproductive health visit may assist providers in helping women prevent unintended pregnancy.