Characteristics of women associated with continuing instruction in the Creighton Model Fertility Care System

Effective use of natural family planning is strongly dependent upon adequate instruction. The Creighton Model Fertility Care System (CrMS) has a standardized protocol for instruction of new users that includes individual follow-up visits in the first year of use. This study evaluated the number of follow-up visits completed by new CrMS users from eight CrMS centers in the United States. Four follow-up visits were completed by 75.7% of women. Women who continued instruction were more likely to be educated, Catholic, and white, and to have a more challenging reproductive status (discontinuing oral contraceptives, or breastfeeding). These results suggest that the number of follow-up visits needed varies among new CrMS users. Future research should address the optimal length of instruction for adequate use of the CrMS by women with different characteristics and needs.