Contraceptive counselling and use in Sweden: research findings and the Swedish model of nurse-midwife-led contraceptive care

Join us for an insightful webinar exploring Sweden’s innovative approach to contraceptive counselling and provision, led by nurse midwives. This session will delve into the findings from two major trials (the LOWE Project and the LOWEC Trial) highlighting how structured counselling can influence contraceptive choices and outcomes.

Who should attend:

• Healthcare professionals and researchers in reproductive health

• Policymakers and public health advocates

• Midwives, nurses, and clinic staff

• Students and educators in health sciences

• Anyone interested in innovative models of contraceptive care

The LOWE Project: A cluster-randomised controlled trial that evaluated the effect of structured contraceptive counselling on the uptake of long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) and pregnancy rates. It was conducted at abortion, youth, and maternal health clinics in Stockholm, Sweden between 2017 and 2019.

The LOWEC Trial: A continuation of the LOWE project. The trial was conducted in local pharmacies across Stockholm between 2024 and 2025. Clients purchasing an emergency contraceptive pill over the counter were provided with structured counselling material online along with a link to book an appointment for contraceptive provision. The aim was to evaluate subsequent use of regular contraception.

Dr Karin Emtell Iwarsson is a registered nurse midwife and postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Women’s and Children’s Health at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden. She earned her PhD in 2022, and her research focuses on contraceptive counselling and use, particularly among youths and migrant women in Sweden. In addition to her academic work, she is clinically active at a youth clinic in Stockholm.

*This webinar will be recorded and distributed to those who register after the event.