Objective/Background:
The primary objective of this study is to determine patient-reported barriers to utilizing pharmacist-prescribed hormonal contraceptive services in Maryland. A secondary objective is to compare patient-reported barriers across rural, suburban, and urban geographic settings in Maryland. Pharmacists are among the most accessible healthcare providers and have been authorized to prescribe hormonal contraceptives in Maryland since 2017. Despite demonstrated safety, convenience, and patient satisfaction in states such as Oregon and California, utilization of this service remains low in Maryland. State-specific data are lacking, making it challenging to design targeted strategies to improve access and uptake.
Methods:This is a 12-week, cross-sectional, multicentered survey-based study conducted across six grocery store pharmacies in Maryland. Pharmacies were selected to represent rural, urban, and suburban settings, reflecting diverse geographic and demographic characteristics. Inclusion criteria include the following: self-reported primary residence in Maryland, 18 years old or older, can read and write in English and have been assigned female at birth. Exclusion criteria include self-report being assigned male at birth or are not at risk of pregnancy. Research team members will invite all participants approaching the pharmacy counter to participate. Participants who consent will complete the survey electronically using their personal devices by scanning a QR code. The survey will be structured using the Andersen Behavioral Model of Health Services Use (ABM-HSU) to evaluate factors influencing the use of pharmacist-prescribed contraceptive services. Survey sections will include demographics, factors based on the Andersen Behavioral Model (predisposing, external, and need factors), and other potential barriers to service utilization. Descriptive statistics and
[1] correlational analysis will explore relationships between demographics and factors affecting use of the service, as well as examine the differences across rural, suburban, and urban participants.
Results:Data collection ongoing
Conclusions/Implications:This study will provide some of the first Maryland-specific data on patient-reported barriers to pharmacist-prescribed contraception. Findings may inform outreach strategies, pharmacy staff education, and targeted interventions to increase utilization of this service. Expanding awareness and addressing patient concerns may enhance access to contraception, reduce unintended pregnancies, and improve public health outcomes.
