Researchers through a new study have found that the number of unintended pregnancies over the course of a year was dramatically reduced after they trained health care workers to counsel young women about the benefits of intrauterine devices (IUDs) and contraceptive implants.

Nearly 40 Planned Parenthood centers across the US and 1,500 women between the ages of 18 and 25 participated in the study published in the medical journal The Lancet.

Authors of the study claim that it is the first randomized trial of a clinic-based intervention to tackle the issue of unintended pregnancies, which account for about half of all pregnancies in the country.

Though intrauterine devices (IUDs) and contraceptive implants also known as long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) are known more effective than condoms or the pill, very few doctors in the United States recommend the IUD or implant to patients.

Researcher Dr. Cynthia Harper, a professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at University of California, said, "The U. S. has for decades had high rates of unintended pregnancy. This is a health outcome that we can do something about, and it's exciting we've found some that works".

The statistics showed that almost 37% of all pregnancies in the US between 2006 and 2010 were unintended.

According to a report from the National Center for Health Statistics, roughly half of all unintended pregnancies in the U. S. are terminated.

The data suggests there is a significant group of women who have not had a successful experience with or have had trouble accessing birth control.

Researchers during the study provided training to health care workers on how to educate women about contraceptive methods. As part of the enhanced counseling, the women watched an educational video.

They were told that IUDs and implants have nearly 100% effectiveness whereas the pill is about 91% effective and condoms are only 82% effective, based on average use.