Increasing Knowledge of the Intrauterine Device as Emergency Contraception among Pregnant and Parenting Teens

Teen mothers are at high risk of repeat pregnancy due to continued sexual activity and inconsistent contraceptive use. Among 22 studies, the mean rate of repeat teen pregnancy within 18 months was 39% (Meade & Ickovics, 2005). Emergency contraception (EC) is a safe and effective method to decrease the risk of unintended pregnancy after unprotected intercourse or contraceptive failure. The copper intrauterine device (IUD) is the most effective form of EC, yet it is rarely offered to women seeking EC, and most women seeking EC have no knowledge of using the copper IUD as EC (Wright, Frost, & Turok, 2012). Thus, an EC educational program, focusing on the IUD as one of the options, targeted for parenting and pregnant teens is an integral part of decreasing the rate of repeat teen pregnancies. This project consisted of three objectives. The first objective was to increase pregnant and parenting teens' knowledge of the intrauterine device as an emergency contraceptive option. This was implemented by obtaining IRB approval and presenting an educational intervention to ten students at a local high school for pregnant and parenting teens. This objective was evaluated by having the students complete a pre and post-questionnaire assessing their knowledge and comparing the results. On the pre and post-questionnaire, on average the students answered 50% and 86% of the questions correctly. The second objective was to provide the teacher at the local high school for pregnant and parenting teens with material enabling the teacher to share the information with future students. This was implemented by presenting the teachers with the educational materials, including the presentation, the IUD and uterus models and a handout with emergency contraception recourses. This objective was evaluated by meeting the deadline of delivering the materials by 1 March 2015.