Purpose: We aimed to identify barriers to breastfeeding-compatible post-placental intrauterine devices (IUDs) for expectant predominantly non-Hispanic African-American women.
Materials and methods: This cross-sectional survey study, conducted at 3 Cleveland community partner locations, enrolled 119 expectant predominantly unmarried but partnered non-Hispanic African-American women. The survey assessed contraceptive, IUD-specific and breastfeeding attitudes and intentions. Survey responses were described with percentages and frequencies, and compared by feeding intention using 2-sided Chi-Square tests. Factor analysis with Varimax rotation identified 2 potential measures of reluctance to post-placental IUD acceptance. The relationship of factors scores to maternal characteristics was assessed.
Results: Feeding intention (breastfeeding versus not) was not related to perceived barriers to post-placental IUD receipt among expectant minority women. A "Personal Risks Reluctance" factor included low risk IUD events (migration and expulsion), misconceptions (delayed fertility return), menstrual changes and partner preference: a higher score was significantly associated with younger age group but no other maternal characteristics. A "Not Me Reasons" factor included provider and insurance barriers, and was not related to any maternal characteristics.
Conclusions: Expectant minority women's perceived barriers to post-placental IUDs are not related to prenatal feeding intentions. We identified two clinically relevant factors that appear to measure barriers to post-placental IUD acceptance.
Keywords: African Americans; Intrauterine devices; breast feeding; long-acting reversible contraception; pregnant woman.