Planning Together: A Couple-based, Multi-level Prenatal Contraceptive Education Program for Economically Marginalized Families

Summary

The goal of this pilot trial is to examine the feasibility and acceptability of the Planning Together protocol

The hypothesis of this study are

1. The study will achieve feasibility, demonstrated by ≥80% study accrual (30 couples in 8 months), ≥75% protocol adherence, and ≥75% (e.g., education workbook completion)
2. The intervention will be acceptable, with \>80% of participants reporting satisfaction with Planning Together.
3. Patterns of primary outcomes (contraceptive knowledge, communication quality, community referral utilization) and secondary outcomes (agreed contraceptive plan, consistent contraceptive usage and satisfaction, psychological distress, and Short Interpregnancy Intervals \[SII\]) will suggest benefits of the intervention.

Conditions

• Short Interpregnancy Intervals
• Maternal Health Disparities

Interventions

OTHER

Joint contraceptive and couple communication education

Joint Comprehensive Contraceptive Education a. Visual and written description of all currently available contraceptives with explanation of pros and cons Couple constructive communication education 1. Specific couple contraceptive conversation examples. 2. Interactive worksheet to help with joint desired contraceptive decision-making and making a consistent use plan

OTHER

Couple communication consultation with Interventionist to increase partner engagement and improve communication

1. Couples will bring their completed workbook to reference during the meeting and assess fidelity 2. Reinforce couple contraceptive communication skills. Address any challenges couple has with skill implementation 3. Review desired contraceptive method \& consistent use plan 4. Use motivational interviewing techniques to help couple agree on contraceptive plan

OTHER

Check-ins to support continued partner support & communication

1. Review progress toward couple contraceptive communication skills and use of agreed contraceptive method 2. Assess factors promoting successful contraceptive use and communication skills 3. Address barriers to consistent contraceptive use and communication skill implementation via shared problem-solving

OTHER

Check-ins to support continued partner support & communication

1. Review progress toward couple contraceptive communication skills and use of agreed contraceptive method 2. Assess factors promoting successful contraceptive use and communication skills 3. Address barriers to consistent contraceptive use and communication skill implementation via shared problem-solving

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)

  collaborator NIH

• University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-11-25

Primary Completion

2026-10-14

Completion

2026-10-14

Countries

• United States

Study Locations