Scoping review protocol: exploration of the barriers and facilitators to the uptake of early postnatal contraception

INTRODUCTION: It is well documented that many women do not desire a short interpregnancy interval. Medical societies, government agencies and leaders in the field recommend that contraception should be part of maternity care. Short spaced and unplanned pregnancies increase the chances of mortality and morbidity in the mother and child. The WHO recommends a 24-month interpregnancy interval; however, short pregnancy intervals remain common. The goal of this scoping review will be to explore barriers and facilitators to the uptake of early postnatal contraception. A review of globally published literature relating to the implementation of a postnatal contraception service provision globally will be carried out which will highlight evidence gaps, strengths and weaknesses of studies associated with uptake and known barriers and facilitators to the uptake of early postnatal contraception. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This scoping review will be conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews. The search strategy aims to locate both published and unpublished studies. An initial limited search of PubMed and CINAHL was undertaken to identify articles on the provision of postnatal contraception. The search strategy will be adapted for each included database CINAHL, SCOPUS, MEDLINE, PROSPERO and COCHRANE from 1 January 1993 to 1 January 2023 and reviewed by two reviewers. The data will be analysed and presented in tables, diagrams and text. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval is not required. This review is a retrospective review of widely and publicly available evidence. The review findings will be disseminated via publication in peer-reviewed journals, as part of a PhD thesis and conference presentation. SCOPING REVIEW QUESTION: What are the barriers and facilitators to early postnatal contraception provision and uptake?