Sofía L Carbone1, Melissa Guillen2, Jaime J Ramirez2, Sara E Vargas3, Connie Fei Lu4, Melissa L Getz2, Yaa Frimpong4, Kelley A Smith2, Claire Stout2, Iris Tong5, Melanie Hill6, Robert E Berry7, Abigail Harrison1, Kate M Guthrie8. 1. Brown University School of Public Health, 121 South Main Street, Providence, RI 02903, USA. 2. Center for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, Miriam Hospital, Coro West, Suite 309, 164 Summit Avenue, Providence, RI 02906, USA. 3. Center for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, Miriam Hospital, Coro West, Suite 309, 164 Summit Avenue, Providence, RI 02906, USA; and The Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University, 222 Richmond Street, Providence, RI 02903, USA. 4. The Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University, 222 Richmond Street, Providence, RI 02903, USA. 5. The Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University, 222 Richmond Street, Providence, RI 02903, USA; and Women's Medicine Collaborative, Lifespan, 146 West River Street, Providence, RI 02904, USA. 6. Women's Medicine Collaborative, Lifespan, 146 West River Street, Providence, RI 02904, USA. 7. Cambridge Health Alliance, 1493 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. 8. Brown University School of Public Health, 121 South Main Street, Providence, RI 02903, USA; and Center for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, Miriam Hospital, Coro West, Suite 309, 164 Summit Avenue, Providence, RI 02906, USA; and The Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University, 222 Richmond Street, Providence, RI 02903, USA; and Corresponding author. Email: kate_guthrie@brown.edu.
Abstract
Background Reducing pregnancy risk requires a multidimensional approach to sexual and reproductive health product development. The purpose of this analysis is to identify, compare, and contrast women's pre-use beliefs and attitudes about three different forms of contraceptives: intravaginal rings; spermicide in conjunction with condoms; and oral contraceptive pills - and explore how those attitudes and beliefs, along with actual method-use experience, may affect potential choices in contraceptive method moving forward. The relationship of beliefs and attitudes to their risk-benefit calculations when using these methods was also considered.? METHODS: Women used one or more contraceptive methods, each for 3-6 months. Qualitative data from individual in-depth interviews completed after each 3-month use period were analysed using a summary matrix framework. Data were extracted and summarised into themes. Each woman's experiences were compared among the methods she used; comparisons were also made across participants. RESULTS: The data consist of 33 90-120 min in-depth qualitative interviews from 16 women aged 20-34 years, in which they discussed various elements of their method use experience. One prominent theme was identified: the influence of attitudes and beliefs on the risk-benefit calculus. There were six key elements within the theme: pregnancy prevention; dosing and the potential for user error; side-effects; familiarity; disclosure; and sexual partnerships. CONCLUSIONS: Women weighed perceived risks and benefits in their decision-making and, ultimately, their contraception choices. Understanding women's beliefs and attitudes that contribute to a calculation of risk-benefit can inform the development of sexual and reproductive health products.
Background Reducing pregnancy risk requires a multidimensional approach to sexual and reproductive health product development. The purpose of this analysis is to identify, compare, and contrast women's pre-use beliefs and attitudes about three different forms of contraceptives: intravaginal rings; spermicide in conjunction with condoms; and oral contraceptive pills - and explore how those attitudes and beliefs, along with actual method-use experience, may affect potential choices in contraceptive method moving forward. The relationship of beliefs and attitudes to their risk-benefit calculations when using these methods was also considered.? METHODS: Women used one or more contraceptive methods, each for 3-6 months. Qualitative data from individual in-depth interviews completed after each 3-month use period were analysed using a summary matrix framework. Data were extracted and summarised into themes. Each woman's experiences were compared among the methods she used; comparisons were also made across participants. RESULTS: The data consist of 33 90-120 min in-depth qualitative interviews from 16 women aged 20-34 years, in which they discussed various elements of their method use experience. One prominent theme was identified: the influence of attitudes and beliefs on the risk-benefit calculus. There were six key elements within the theme: pregnancy prevention; dosing and the potential for user error; side-effects; familiarity; disclosure; and sexual partnerships. CONCLUSIONS: Women weighed perceived risks and benefits in their decision-making and, ultimately, their contraception choices. Understanding women's beliefs and attitudes that contribute to a calculation of risk-benefit can inform the development of sexual and reproductive health products.
Authors: Kathleen M Morrow; Kristen Underhill; Jacob J van den Berg; Sara Vargas; Rochelle K Rosen; David F Katz Journal: Arch Sex Behav Date: 2014-01-23
Authors: Sara E Vargas; Miriam M Midoun; Melissa Guillen; Melissa L Getz; Kristen Underhill; Caroline Kuo; Kate M Guthrie Journal: Perspect Sex Reprod Health Date: 2019-05-20