Utilization of Home Pregnancy Testing Among Women at Risk for Unintended Pregnancy

Purpose

We sought to determine whether a brief intervention increased home pregnancy test utilization among women at risk for unintended pregnancy.

Methods

The intervention included education, consultation with a nurse, and the provision of a free home pregnancy test kit. Participants were 35 women aged 18–39 years from a Medicaid population who were having unprotected intercourse and who were not trying to conceive. The women received education on pregnancy testing and the importance of early recognition of pregnancy. All women received a free home pregnancy test kit. The main outcome measures were pregnancy test use and appropriateness of use.

Main Findings

During the 3-month follow-up period, 62% of participants used the home pregnancy test kit, which was approximately 3 times higher than the self-reported testing rate before the study (p < .001). The most common reason for use was a late period (median 5 days late when test was done). Women also purchased additional kits to confirm the initial test result (median 2 kits per episode of use).

Conclusion

The intervention increased utilization of home pregnancy test kits among women at risk of unintended pregnancy. All study participants used the test appropriately. These results can serve as a framework for interventions to improve early pregnancy recognition.