Buprenorphine and Postpartum Contraception Use in People with Opioid Use Disorder
Author Information
Author(s): Kevin Y. Xu, Jennifer K. Bello, Joanna Buss, Hendrée E. Jones, Laura J. Bierut, Dustin Stwalley, Hannah S. Szlyk, Caitlin E. Martin, Jeannie C. Kelly, Ebony B. Carter, Elizabeth E. Krans, Richard A. Grucza
Primary Institution: Washington University School of Medicine
Hypothesis
BUP receipt during pregnancy may be associated with greater contraception uptake postpartum in people with OUD compared to the receipt of psychosocial services.
Conclusion
Only 22% of pregnant people with OUD in our cohort used effective or highly-effective postpartum contraception.
Supporting Evidence
- 22.4% of the cohort were prescribed contraception by 90 days postpartum.
- BUP receipt was associated with a greater use of prescribed contraceptive methods.
- Most participants who received contraception used LARC or female sterilization.
Takeaway
This study found that many new mothers with opioid use disorder don't use effective birth control after giving birth, but those who took buprenorphine were a bit more likely to get prescribed contraception.
Methodology
Retrospective cohort study using multistate administrative claims data to compare contraception utilization rates among postpartum people with OUD initiating buprenorphine versus no medication.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the treatment-receiving cohort and inability to account for personal motivations and preferences.
Limitations
Findings cannot be generalized to those not receiving treatment or with limited insurance; underpowered for assessing other medications; did not account for non-prescribed contraception methods.
Participant Demographics
Mean age 28.5 years; 60.4% under 30; 81.4% White; 6.9% Black.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Confidence Interval
[1.07–1.28]
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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