Postpartum contraception information, support and service needs of priority populations

Women require access to postpartum contraception information to enable them to plan for and access contraception after having a baby. Early access to contraception in the postpartum period is associated with a high continuity rate and efficacy for reducing unintended pregnancies and short interpregnancy intervals. Minimal research has been conducted with priority populations in Australia in relation to postpartum contraception (including, but not limited to, young people, and people from migrant and refugee communities), and little is known regarding their information needs and preferences in relation to this. This PhD will explore the postpartum contraception information, support and service needs of priority population(s) in Australia, through a scoping review, interviews with priority population (s), and key informant interviews. This project sits within a program of research being undertaken by Professor Mazza in SPHERE, a NHMRC-funded Centre of Research Excellence in Sexual and Reproductive Health for Women in Primary Care. This is the first dedicated Centre to lead research that is aimed at improving the quality, safety, and capacity of primary health care services to achieve better outcomes in women’s sexual and reproductive health. Students working within SPHERE will be supported by Professor Mazza's research team, which consists of Post-docs, PhD students, academic registrars and Honours students. Students will be part of a large, multidisciplinary, collaborative team of investigators, which includes prominent national and international researchers and experts working in women’s health, general practice, pharmacy, nursing, epidemiology, knowledge translation, health economics, and policy development.