The Association of Health Literacy With Time in Therapeutic Range for Patients on Warfarin Therapy

Patients on warfarin therapy need to achieve and maintain anticoagulation control in order to experience the benefits of treatment while minimizing bleeding risk. Low health literacy skills may hinder patients' ability to use and adhere to warfarin in a safe and effective manner. The authors conducted this study to evaluate the relationship between health literacy and anticoagulation control among patients on chronic warfarin therapy. Participants were recruited from 2 diverse anticoagulation clinics in North Carolina. Time in therapeutic range (TTR) for warfarin therapy was used as a measure of anticoagulation control. Health literacy was assessed using the short form of the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (S-TOFHLA). Of the 198 study participants, 51% had limited health literacy (S-TOFHLA score of 0–90) and 33% had poor anticoagulation control (TTR <50%). Participants with limited health literacy were less likely to correctly answer warfarin-related knowledge questions. Limited health literacy was significantly associated with TTR <50% (adjusted odds ratio = 2.34, 95% CI [1.01, 5.46]). Findings indicate that limited health literacy is associated with poor anticoagulation control for patients on warfarin therapy. Lack of medication understanding may hinder the safe and effective use of this narrow therapeutic index drug.     

The Status of Women's Reproductive Rights and Adverse Birth Outcomes

BackgroundReproductive rights—the ability to decide whether and when to have children—shape women's socioeconomic and health trajectories across the life course. The objective of this study was to examine reproductive rights in association with preterm birth (PTB; <37 weeks) and low birth weight (LBW; <2,500g) across states in the United States.MethodsAnalysis included records for all live births in the United States in 2012 grouped by state. A reproductive rights composite index score was assigned to records from each state based on the following indicators for the year before birth (2011): mandatory sex education, expanded Medicaid eligibility for family planning services, mandatory parental involvement for minors seeking abortion, mandatory abortion waiting periods, public funding for abortion, and percentage of women in counties with abortion providers. Scores were ranked by tertile with the highest tertile reflecting states with strongest reproductive rights. We fit logistic regression models with generalized estimating equations to estimate the odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for PTB and LBW associated with reproductive rights score controlling for maternal race, age, education, and insurance and state-level poverty.ResultsStates with the strongest reproductive rights had the lowest rates of LBW and PTB (7.3% and 10.6%, respectively) compared with states with more restrictions (8.5% and 12.2%, respectively). After adjustment, women in more restricted states experienced 13% to 15% increased odds of PTB and 6% to 9% increased odds of LBW compared with women in states with the strongest rights.ConclusionsState-level reproductive rights may influence likelihood of adverse birth outcomes among women residents.     

Abortion method preference among people presenting for abortion care

ObjectiveTo explore abortion method preference, interpersonal and cultural factors associated with preference, and whether, among people with a preference for medication abortion, those presenting past 10 weeks gestation had experienced more obstacles to care.MethodsIn 2019, we invited people aged 15 to 45 years presenting to 4 U.S. abortion clinics to complete a self-administered, anonymous iPad survey prior to seeing the health care provider. Questions focused on their pregnancy, including self-reported gestational age and experiences accessing abortion care, including abortion method preference. We used multivariate logistic regression to assess associations between worry about perceived pregnancy-related stigma or abortion-related health myths and abortion method preference.ResultsThe majority (784 [77%]) of those approached (1092) initiated the survey and 712 responded to the preference question. Most (597 [84%]) preferred a method: 246 (41%) preferred medication abortion and 351 (59%) an in-clinic procedure. About one-third (110 [32%]) of those preferring medication abortions exceeded 10 weeks gestation and 83% (n = 91) had experienced delay-causing obstacles to care. In multivariate analyses, we found a greater odd of preference for medication abortion over in-clinic procedure among those very worried about people's reaction to the pregnancy (adjusted OR [aOR] 1.95, 95% CI 1.16–3.28), judgment from God or religion (aOR 1.93, 95% CI 1.17–3.19) and abortion affecting mental health (aOR 2.51, 95% CI 1.45–4.34) or ability to get pregnant later (aOR 1.80, 95% CI: 1.09–2.97).ConclusionsMany people seeking abortion have a method preference; delayed presentation to care may impede ability to obtain desired method. Pregnancy-related stigma and misinformation are associated with preference for medication abortion.Implications statementPregnancy-related stigma and misinformation, such as health and safety myths promulgated by state-mandated abortion counseling, may motivate preference for medication abortion. Abortion access obstacles may impede individuals’ ability to obtain their preferred method. Removing barriers to clinic access may enhance people's ability to obtain their preferred abortion method.     

Delayed pregnancy testing and second-trimester abortion: can public health interventions assist with earlier detection of unintended pregnancy?

Background

Delayed pregnancy testing has been associated with presentation for abortion in the second trimester. Little is known about acceptability of potential interventions to hasten pregnancy recognition.

Study design

A total of 592 women presenting for abortion at six clinics in the United States completed surveys on contraceptive use, risk behavior, timing of first pregnancy test and interest in interventions to speed pregnancy recognition and testing.

Results

Forty-eight percent of women presenting for second-trimester abortion delayed testing until at least 8 weeks. In multivariate analysis, women who often spotted between periods had higher odds of delaying pregnancy testing [odds ratio (OR) 2.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04–6.94]. Women who often missed periods had higher odds of second-trimester abortion (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.34–3.13). The majority (64%) of women were not aware of a fertile time in the menstrual cycle; these women had higher odds of second-trimester abortion (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.21–3.37). Ninety-four percent of women expressed interest in at least one potential intervention to help recognize pregnancy earlier.

Conclusions

While there was near-universal interest in earlier pregnancy recognition, no single proposed intervention or scenario was endorsed by the majority. Improving sexual health awareness is an important consideration in future efforts to expedite pregnancy testing.

Implications

We found near-universal interest in earlier pregnancy recognition, though no single proposed intervention or scenario garnered majority support. Based on our findings, the concept of improving sexual health awareness through education should be incorporated in the development of future strategies to hasten recognition of unintended pregnancy.     

Abortion Knowledge Among Advanced Practice Clinicians in Colorado

IntroductionOur objective was to quantify abortion law and care knowledge among Colorado advanced practice clinicians.MethodsWe conducted a stratified random survey of advanced practice clinicians, oversampling women’s health and rural clinicians. We assessed sample characteristics, positions on abortion legality, and knowledge of abortion law and care. Mean knowledge scores were compared by sample characteristics. Survey responses were compared by provision of pregnancy options counseling and positions on abortion legality. Linear regression models were used to examine knowledge scores.ResultsA total of 513 participants completed the survey; the response rate was 21%. Abortion law knowledge questions (mean score, 1.7/7.0) ranged from 12% (physician-only law) to 45% (parental consent law) correct. For five of seven questions, “I don’t know” was the most frequently chosen response. Abortion care knowledge questions (mean score, 2.8/8.0) ranged from 19% (abortion prevalence) to 60% (no elevated risk of breast cancer) correct. For four of eight questions, “I don’t know” was the most frequently chosen response. Practicing in all other areas (e.g., family practice) was associated with lower abortion law and care knowledge than practicing in women’s health. Providing options counseling was positively associated with abortion knowledge (law, β = 0.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.10–0.78; care, β = 0.52; 95% CI, 0.08–0.95). Compared with participants who believe abortion should be legal in all circumstances, those who believe abortion should be illegal in all circumstances had similar abortion law knowledge (β = ?0.03; 95% CI, ?0.65 to 0.59), but lower abortion care knowledge (β = ?1.85; 95% CI, ?2.34 to ?1.36).ConclusionsAbortion knowledge is low among Colorado advanced practice clinicians and education is needed.     

Offering routine trichomonas vaginalis testing to patients presenting for abortion at an urban hospital-based clinic

IntroductionThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend considering screening asymptomatic women for trichomonas in high-prevalence settings. Whether urban abortion clinics constitute such a setting is unknown.Material and MethodsWe offered trichomonas screening to patients presenting for abortion from October 2018 to February 2019 as a practice improvement and conducted a chart review.ResultsNinety-two percent (593/644) of patients underwent testing. Trichomonas prevalence was 10.0% (95% CI 7.7?12.6). Ninety five percent of patients diagnosed were treated. Testing only symptomatic patients would have missed 98% of infections.ConclusionsTrichomonas was highly prevalent, and universal testing and treatment was feasible in an urban abortion clinic.     

Functional health literacy and health-promoting behaviour in a national sample of British adults

OBJECTIVES: To measure the prevalence of limited functional health literacy in the UK, and examine associations with health behaviours and self-rated health. DESIGN: Psychometric testing using a British version of the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (TOFHLA) in a population sample of adults. SETTING: UK-wide interview survey (excluding Northern Ireland and the Scottish Isles). PARTICIPANTS: 759 adults (439 women, 320 men) aged 18-90 years (mean age _ 47.6 years) selected using random location sampling. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Functional health literacy, self-rated health, fruit and vegetable consumption, physical exercise and smoking. RESULTS: We found that 11.4% of participants had either marginal or inadequate health literacy. Multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that the risk of having limitations in health literacy increased with age (adjusted odds ratio 1.04; 95% confidence interval 1.02 to 1.06), being male (odds ratio _ 2.04; 95% confidence interval 1.16 to 3.55), low educational attainment (odds ratio _ 7.46; 95% confidence interval 3.35 to 16.58) and low income (odds ratio _ 5.94; 95% confidence interval 1.87 to 18.89). In a second multivariable logistic regression analysis, every point higher on the health literacy scale increased the likelihood of eating at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day (odds ratio _ 1.02; 95% confidence interval 1.003 to 1.03), being a non-smoker (odds ratio _ 1.02; 95% confidence interval 1.0003 to 1.03) and having good self-rated health (odds ratio _ 1.02; 95% confidence interval 1.01 to 1.04), independently of age, education, gender, ethnicity and income. CONCLUSIONS: The results encourage efforts to monitor health literacy in the British population and examine associations with engagement with preventative health behaviours.     

Travel for Abortion Services in Alabama and Delays Obtaining Care

BackgroundIn 2013, Alabama required women seeking abortion to have a consultation visit followed by a 24-hour waiting period. These requirements may adversely affect return for timely care among those traveling long distances for services.MethodsUsing de-identified billing data from two Alabama clinics for all abortion encounters in 2013, we calculated the distance traveled from women's residential zip code and the number of days between their in-person consultation and procedure visits. To assess the associations between distance traveled and return for an abortion visit and length of interval between visits, we used logistic and ordinal logistic regression, respectively.ResultsOf the 2,730 women attending a consultation visit, 58% traveled less than 25 miles one way to the clinic, 13% traveled 25 to 49 miles, 21% traveled 50 to 100 miles, and 8% traveled more than 100 miles. Overall, 19% of women did not return to either clinic for an abortion procedure after their consultation. Distance traveled was not associated with return for an abortion visit (odds ratio, 1.04; 95% confidence interval, 0.76–1.42). Among women who returned, 59% had less than 7 days, 29% had 7 to 13 days, and 12% had 14 or more days between their consultation and procedure visits. Compared with women traveling less than 25 miles, those traveling 50 to 100 miles had significantly longer intervals between visits (odds ratio, 1.25; 95% confidence interval, 1.01–1.56).ConclusionsAlthough most women returned for their abortion procedure, many traveling long distances had a week or more between visits. Because delays may limit women's options for affordable abortion care, evidence-based policies should be adopted to facilitate women's timely receipt of services.     

Can women accurately assess the outcome of medical abortion based on symptoms alone?

BackgroundThe primary purpose of this study was to evaluate whether women undergoing medical abortion can accurately assess abortion outcome based on symptoms alone. Our secondary aim was to identify predictors of medical abortion failure.Study DesignWe conducted a case–control study of women undergoing medical abortion from January 1, 2004, to December 31, 2005, who were 63 days' gestation or less and received 200 mg mifepristone followed by 800 mcg of vaginal misoprostol 6–72 h later. Cases were defined as women who required uterine evacuation for a retained gestational sac or ongoing pregnancy. Separate analyses were conducted for the subset of cases with ongoing pregnancies. Controls were defined as women who successfully expelled the pregnancy without uterine evacuation.ResultsDuring the study period, 53 women had a retained gestational sac (N=26) or ongoing pregnancy (N=27), and a total of 53 controls were selected, matched by site and date of procedure. Case subjects were more likely than controls to report minimal vaginal bleeding and ongoing pregnancy symptoms and to express doubt that they expelled the pregnancy. When predictive modeling was performed, ongoing pregnancy symptoms, minimal bleeding and gestational age as determined by ultrasound measurement of gestational sac or crown-rump length accurately identified only 68% of medical abortion failures. We also found that the odds of medical abortion failure decreased progressively from approximately 4 to 7 weeks' gestational age, was lowest at approximately 7 weeks and increased from 7 to 9 weeks' gestation.ConclusionPatient symptomatology and self-assessment of complete abortion alone are moderately useful in identifying medical abortion failure. An objective measure of complete abortion, such as a pregnancy test, is still required.     

Factors affecting delays in first trimester pregnancy termination services in New Zealand

Objective: To identify the factors affecting the timeliness of services in first trimester abortion service in New Zealand. Method: Primary data were collected from all patients attending nine abortion clinics between February and May 2009. The outcome measured was delay between the first visit with a referring doctor and the date of the abortion procedure. Patient records (n=2,950) were audited to determine the timeline between the first point of entry to the health system and the date of abortion. Women were also invited to fill out a questionnaire identifying personal factors affecting access to services (n=1,086, response rate = 36.8%). Results: Women who went to private clinic had a significantly shorter delay compared to public clinics. Controlling for clinic type, women who went to clinics that offered medical abortions or clinics that offered single day services experienced less delay. Also, women who had more than one visit with their referring doctor experienced a greater delay than those who had a single visit. The earlier in pregnancy women sought services the longer the delay. Women's decision‐making did not have a significant effect on delay. Conclusions: Several clinic level and systemic factors are significantly associated with delay in first trimester abortion services. In order to ensure the best physical and emotional outcomes, timeliness of services must improve.     

Impact of the 5As brief counseling on smoking cessation among pregnant clients of Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women,Infants, and Children (WIC) clinics in Ohio

ObjectivesWe assessed whether smoking cessation improved among pregnant smokers who attended Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Supplemental Nutrition Program clinics trained to implement a brief smoking cessation counseling intervention, the 5As: ask, advise, assess, assist, arrange.MethodsIn Ohio, staff in 38 WIC clinics were trained to deliver the 5As from 2006 through 2010. Using 2005–2011 Pregnancy Nutrition Surveillance System data, we performed conditional logistic regression, stratified on clinic, to estimate the relationship between women's exposure to the 5As and the odds of self-reported quitting during pregnancy. Reporting bias for quitting was assessed by examining whether differences in infants' birth weight by quit status differed by clinic training status.ResultsOf 71,526 pregnant smokers at WIC enrollment, 23% quit. Odds of quitting were higher among women who attended a clinic after versus before clinic staff was trained (adjusted odds ratio, 1.16; 95% confidence interval, 1.04–1.29). The adjusted mean infant birth weight was, on average, 96 g higher among women who reported quitting (P < 0.0001), regardless of clinic training status.ConclusionsTraining all Ohio WIC clinics to deliver the 5As may promote quitting among pregnant smokers, and thus is an important strategy to improve maternal and child health outcomes.     

Interest in using intrauterine contraception when the option of self-removal is provided

BackgroundThe need to ask a clinician to remove an intrauterine contraceptive (IUC) may deter some women from trying the method. There is little risk to a woman who attempts to remove her own IUC.Study DesignIn 2010, 602 women seeking abortion completed a computerized survey in the waiting rooms of six US abortion clinics. The survey asked women to rate their interest in using the currently available IUCs and a hypothetical “new” self-removable IUC.ResultsOverall, 25% of respondents would be more willing to try an IUC if they could remove it themselves. Interest in a self-removable IUC was higher among women who were already considering use of an IUC. After controlling for multiple covariates, women who were likely to have unprotected sex in the future were more willing to consider use of an IUC if they had the option of self-removal (odds ratio 1.63, 95% confidence interval 1.03–2.59).ConclusionsInforming women that they may safely attempt self-removal of their IUC may increase interest in trying an IUC.     

How does religious affiliation affect women's attitudes toward reproductive health policy? Implications for the Affordable Care Act

BackgroundSupreme Court cases challenging the Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandate for employer-provided reproductive health care have focused on religiously based opposition to coverage. Little is known about women's perspectives on such reproductive health policies.Study designData were drawn from the Women's Health Care Experiences and Preferences survey, a randomly selected, nationally representative sample of 1078 US women aged 18–55 years. We examined associations between religious affiliation and attitudes toward employer-provided insurance coverage of contraception and abortion services as well as the exclusion of religious institutions from this coverage. We used chi-square and multivariable logistic regression for analysis.ResultsRespondents self-identified as Baptist (18%), Protestant (Other Mainline, 17%), Catholic (17%), Other Christian (20%), Religious, Non-Christian (7%) or No Affiliation (21%). Religious affiliation was associated with proportions of agreement for contraception (p=.03), abortion (p<.01) and religious exclusion (p<.01) policies. In multivariable models, differences in the odds of agreement varied across religious affiliations and frequency of service attendance. For example, compared to non-affiliated women, Baptists and Other Nondenominational Christians (but not Catholics) had lower odds of agreement with employer coverage of contraception (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.4–0.1 and OR 0.57, CI 0.4–0.9, respectively); women who attended services weekly or more than weekly had lower odds of agreement (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.3–0.8 and OR 0.33, CI 0.2–0.6, respectively), compared to less frequent attenders.ConclusionsRecent religiously motivated legal challenges to employer-provided reproductive health care coverage may not represent the attitudes of many religious women.ImplicationsRecent challenges to the ACA contraceptive mandate appear to equate religious belief with opposition to employer-sponsored reproductive health coverage, but women's views are more complex.     

Association of the Dietary Inflammatory Index with Depressive Symptoms among Pre- and Post-Menopausal Women: Findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005–2010

During their lifetime, 20% of US women experience depression. Studies have indicated that a high Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) score is associated with high C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and depression. No previous study has compared the association of the DII with different measures of depression (e.g., somatic, cognitive) among pre- and post-menopausal women. We used data from 2512 pre-menopausal and 2392 post-menopausal women from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005–2010 database. We ran linear and logistic regression models to compare the association of the DII with survey-measured depression among pre- and post-menopausal women. We further assessed the mediation effect of CRP on the association of the DII and depression, using structural equation modeling. The odds of experiencing depression among pre-menopausal women was higher for all DII quartiles compared to the reference group (i.e., DII Q1), with an odds ratio (OR) of 3.2, 5.0, and 6.3 for Q2, Q3, and Q4, respectively (p < 0.05). Among post-menopausal women, only Q4 had 110% higher odds of experiencing depression compared to Q1 (p = 0.027). No mediation effect of CRP was found between DII and any of our depression outcome measures. Our findings suggest that lifestyle habits, such as diet, may have a stronger influence on mental health among pre-menopausal women than post-menopausal women.     

Contraceptive Use and Abortion Among Women Of Reproductive Age in St. Petersburg, Russia

CONTEXT: Although the characteristics associated with contraceptive use among Russian women have been studied, no large-scale research has been conducted on women's use of different contraceptive methods and abortion.
METHODS: A random sample of 1,147 women aged 18–44 completed questionnaires at local women's clinics in St. Petersburg in 2003–2004. Chi-square tests were used to examine differences in selected characteristics among age-groups, and logistic regression was used to assess associations between these characteristics and the use of contraceptive methods at last intercourse and abortion history.
RESULTS: Among women at risk of unintended pregnancy, six in 10 had used reliable contraceptives (the pill, the IUD or condoms) at last intercourse; 42% had used condoms. Women in the middle income level were more likely than women with lower income to have used the pill (odds ratio, 2.1); cohabiting women and those who had had children had lowered odds of using condoms (0.6 and 0.3–0.5, respectively). More than half of those surveyed reported having had an abortion. Characteristics associated with increased odds of having had an abortion included being 25 or older (2.2–3.5), cohabiting (2.9), having high income (1.7), having experienced first intercourse before turning 18 (2.2) and having used no contraceptive method at first sex (1.5). The factor that was most strongly associated with abortion was a woman's number of births (4.9–5.7).
CONCLUSIONS: Educational programs that promote the consistent use of condoms, especially among young women, and family planning programs that reduce financial barriers to contraceptive use, are critically needed in Russia.     

If,when, and how to discuss available abortion services in the primary care setting

Many women prefer to receive abortion care with their primary care provider; yet, prior studies have suggested that women do not know or assume that their provider does not offer abortion care. Our objective was to explore if, when, and how women wish to be informed of available abortion services at their primary care clinics. We conducted interviews with 21 women at their primary care site during June–July 2014. Vignettes were used to identify clinic visit types in which information regarding abortion services would be welcome and appropriate and inappropriate ways for providers to inform patients of these services. All participants were open to provider-initiated discussion of available abortion services, particularly during women’s wellness exams or contraception visits. Themes associated with appropriate communication of abortion services included: 1) using sensitive language, 2) respect for and assessment of patient beliefs, and 3) contextualizing abortion services within reproductive health. Advantages to discussing available abortion services included strengthening the patient-provider relationship and improved awareness of the spectrum of services offered. Routine inclusion of abortion services counseling may help educate patients about available services, strengthen the patient-provider relationship, and reduce the stigma surrounding abortion care.