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Cited by 7Reproductive Health and ContraceptionMale Reproductive Health StudiesMaternal and Perinatal Health Interventions

Couples-based interventions and postpartum contraceptive uptake: a systematic review

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Sack, Daniel E., Peetluk, Lauren S., Audet, Carolyn M.·2022·Contraception
DOI 10.1016/j.contraception.2022.05.001PMC PMC9968552
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Abstract

Objective Systematically review the existing evidence about couples-based interventions and postpartum contraceptive uptake and generate recommendations for future research. Data sources PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Embase, and CINAHL through June 7, 2021. Study selection and data extraction Studies with a couples-based intervention assessing postpartum contraceptive uptake. Two independent reviewers screened studies, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias with RoB-2 (Cochrane Risk of Bias 2) for randomized and ROBINS-I (Risk of Bias in Non-Randomized Studies - Interventions) for observational studies. Data were synthesized in tables, figures, and a narrative review. Results A total of 925 papers were identified, 66 underwent full text review, and 17 articles, which included 18 studies - 16 randomized, 2 observational - were included. The lack of intervention and outcome homogeneity precluded meta-analysis and isolating the effect of partner involvement. Four studies were partner-required, where partner involvement was a required component of the intervention, and 14 were partner-optional. Unadjusted risk differences ranged from 0.01 to 0.51 in favor of couples-based interventions increasing postpartum contraceptive uptake versus standard of care. Bias assessment of the 16 randomized studies classified 8, 3, and 5 studies as at a high, some concern, and low risk of bias. Common sources of bias included intervention non-adherence and missing outcome data. One observational study was at a high and the other at a low risk of bias. Conclusions Future studies that assess couples-based interventions must clearly define and measure how partners are involved in the intervention and assess how intervention adherence impacts postpartum contraceptive uptake.

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  • The effects of educational and couples-based approaches on postpartum contraceptive uptake may attenuate over time.

    “Broader systematic reviews similarly suggest that educational and couples-based approaches can improve postpartum contraceptive uptake, although the effects may attenuate over time and partner participation is inconsistent (Hu et al., 2023; Sack et al., 2022).”

    From Extending the continuum: Mapping post-6-week nurse/midwife-led interventions for postnatal women – A scoping review (2026) · cites this paper as Sack et al., 2022

    The Results (Study Characteristics; page unavailable) report that most studies found increased postpartum contraceptive uptake, and the Results (Intervention and Adherence Heterogeneity; page unavailable) describe inconsistent partner participation. The paper reports outcomes measured at different postpartum times, but does not establish that the interventions’ effects attenuate over time; that part of the attributed claim is unsupported. (LLM, conf=0.86)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Educational and couples-based approaches can improve postpartum contraceptive uptake.

    “Broader systematic reviews similarly suggest that educational and couples-based approaches can improve postpartum contraceptive uptake, although the effects may attenuate over time and partner participation is inconsistent (Hu et al., 2023; Sack et al., 2022).”

    From Extending the continuum: Mapping post-6-week nurse/midwife-led interventions for postnatal women – A scoping review (2026) · cites this paper as Sack et al., 2022

  • Partner participation in educational and couples-based approaches for postpartum contraceptive uptake is inconsistent.

    “Broader systematic reviews similarly suggest that educational and couples-based approaches can improve postpartum contraceptive uptake, although the effects may attenuate over time and partner participation is inconsistent (Hu et al., 2023; Sack et al., 2022).”

    From Extending the continuum: Mapping post-6-week nurse/midwife-led interventions for postnatal women – A scoping review (2026) · cites this paper as Sack et al., 2022

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References 66 · Cited by 7

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Authors
Sack, D. E., Peetluk, L. S., & Audet, C. M.
Affiliations
  • Vanderbilt University (US)
  • Vanderbilt University Medical Center (US)
Corresponding author
Sack, Daniel E.
ORCID
Venue
Contraception
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2022-08
Volume
112
Pages
23-36
ISSN
0010-7824 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.contraception.2022.05.001
PMC
PMC9968552
OpenAlex
W4280501812
Cited by
7
References
66
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 2
FWCI
0.25
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Contraception (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Institute of Mental Health (F30MH123219, K01MH107255, R01MH113478)
  • National Institute of General Medical Sciences (T32GM007347)
  • National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (F31AI152614-01A1, UL1TR002243)
  • National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Reproductive Health and Contraception
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Male Reproductive Health Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Obstetrics and Gynecology › Maternal and Perinatal Health Interventions
Keywords
couple-based interventions, partner involvement, postpartum contraception, intervention adherence, risk of bias
MeSH terms
Contraceptive Agents, Contraceptive Devices, Female, Humans, Postpartum Period, Text Messaging, Observational Studies as Topic

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