Self-testing for pregnancy among women at risk: a randomized controlled trial.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The timing of pregnancy recognition affects early pregnancy and the timing of prenatal care. Little research has been done on how to make women at risk more alert to the possibility of pregnancy. DESIGN: The study was an RCT performed and analyzed between 2006 and 2007. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Participants were low-income, adult women who were having unprotected intercourse and were not actively trying to conceive. INTERVENTION: Women in the intervention group received a free home-pregnancy test kit and were able to order more kits as needed. Six-month follow-up information was obtained. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measures were suspicion and testing for pregnancy. RESULTS: Ninety-one percent of the 198 participants completed the study. Women in the intervention group suspected pregnancy 2.3 times during the 6-month period compared to 1.2 times for women in the control group (p<0.0001). Women in the intervention group tested for pregnancy 93% of the time when they suspected pregnancy. Women in the control group tested for pregnancy only 64% of the time when they suspected pregnancy (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Women who were having unprotected intercourse were more likely to suspect and test for pregnancy if they were supplied with a free home-pregnancy test kit.