Reproductive Rights Library Guide

d It is now common to search for health information online. A 2013 Pew Research Center survey found that 77% of online health seekers began their query at a search engine. The widespread use of online health information seeking also applies to women’s reproductive health. Despite online interest in birth control, not much is known about related interests and concerns reflected in the search terms in the United States. In this study, the researchers identify the top search terms on Google related to birth control in Louisiana and Mississippi and compare those results to the broader United States, examining how Google searches on birth control have evolved over time and identifying regional variation within states.

Since FDA approval of oral emergency contraceptives (EC) in 1998, accessibility of these medications has been a focal point for legislation. In twenty years, options have expanded and all patients can access EC both over the counter (levontogestrel, LTG) and by prescription (ullipristal acetate, UA). This project seeks to define EC accessibility for various geographical areas in Louisiana based on same-day availability of EC at retail pharmacies. Using a secret shopper method whereby participants called local retail pharmacies, researchers gathered information posing as adolescents and physicians. They obtained information on current stock of EC, cost of EC, and additional barriers using a scripted interaction dialogue. Calls were placed to all retail pharmacies in each of four Louisiana metropolitan areas ranging in population from 65,000 to 390,000.

Women experiencing unintended and short-interval pregnancies are at increased risk for adverse outcomes. Nationally, researchers report disparities in women’s use of effective contraceptive methods based on demographic, cultural, financial and system-level factors. Despite 58% of Louisiana births being unplanned, researchers have not reported on these relationships in Louisiana. Methods We used Louisiana Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System data from 2015 to 2018. Among postpartum women who were not abstinent, pregnant, or trying to become pregnant, we estimated use of five categories of effective contraception versus no effective method. We used multivariable multinomial logistic regression to investigate the association between effective contraceptive use and race/ethnicity, postpartum insurance and education.