Maternal and Child Health Journal | 2019
“The Closer, the Better:” The Role of Telehealth in Increasing Contraceptive Access Among Women in Rural South Carolina
Abstract
BackgroundRural populations face unique health disparities that prevent women from accessing reproductive health care services. Telehealth initiatives offer a health care delivery tool to increase access to contraception.ObjectiveTo understand women’s contraceptive needs and perceptions of accessing contraception through telehealth services.MethodsResearchers conducted 52 in-depth interviews with women ages 18–44\xa0years living in five rural counties in South Carolina from May to July 2015. Researchers employed constant comparative data analysis using HyperRESEARCH 3.7.2.ResultsMost participants identified as Black (62%) or White (28%). Findings suggest successful telehealth interventions should accommodate women’s complex and nuanced community views, including benefits and barriers of telehealth, to improve access to contraceptive methods in rural locations. In addition, telehealth initiatives should frame contraception as contributing to women’s overall health and well-being.Conclusions for PracticeTelehealth initiatives may address barriers to contraceptive access in rural locations. Findings from this study offer theoretical and practical opportunities to guide telehealth interventions that support and empower women’s access to contraceptive methods in rural areas.