Use of Long-Acting Reversible Contraception Among Adolescent and Young Adult Women and Receipt of Sexually Transmitted Infection/Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Related Services.

PURPOSE

Long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods do not require annual clinic visits for continuation, potentially impacting receipt of recommended sexually transmitted infection (STI)/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) services for young women. We assess service receipt among new and continuing LARC users versus moderately and less effective method users and non-contraceptors.

METHODS

Using 2011-2015 National Survey of Family Growth data from sexually active women aged 15-24 years (n = 2,018), we conducted logistic comparisons of chlamydia, any STI and HIV testing, and sexual risk assessment in the past year by current contraceptive type.

RESULTS

Less than half of respondents were tested for chlamydia (40.9%), any STI (47.3%), or HIV (25.9%); 66.5% had their sexual risk assessed. Differences in service receipt between new and continuing LARC users as compared with moderately effective method users were not detected in multivariable models, except that continuing LARC users were less likely to be tested for HIV (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] = .52, 95% confidence interval [CI] = .32-.85). New, but not continuing, LARC users were more likely than less effective method users (aPR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.03-1.76) and non-contraceptors (aPR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.11-1.85) to have their sexual risk assessed, although both groups were more likely than non-contraceptors to be tested for chlamydia (new: aPR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.08-2.15; continuing: aPR = 1.69, 95% CI = 1.24-2.29).

CONCLUSIONS

We found little evidence that LARC use was associated with lower prevalence of STI testing. However, new, but not continuing, LARC users, as compared with those not using a method requiring a clinic visit, were more likely to have had their risk assessed, suggesting that initiating LARC may offer an opportunity to receive services that does not persist.