Current contraceptive use in women with a history of unintended pregnancies: Insights from the Australian Contraceptive ChOice pRoject (ACCORd) trial

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Clinical guidelines advocate using long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC) to reduce unintended pregnancy, but LARC use in Australia is poor. Additionally, little is known about contraceptive practices of women with a history of unintended pregnancy. The aim of this study was to describe current contraception use according to a history of unintended pregnancy. METHOD: Data were analysed from women recruited into The Australian Contraceptive ChOice pRoject (ACCORd) trial. RESULTS: Approximately 47% (128/275) of women aged 16-45 years reported unintended pregnancies, and 30% had an abortion (83/275). Contraceptive data available from 117 women showed that condoms (24%, n = 28/117) and the oral contraceptive pill (22%, n = 26/117) were most commonly used among women reporting one unintended pregnancy or more. DISCUSSION: These findings support implementing interventions to increase the uptake of effective contraception, as successfully demonstrated in the ACCORd trial, in general practice.