“Do you want a period?” Launching and evaluating a brief contraceptive decision-making educational intervention

Abstract

ObjectiveDo you want a period? empowers people who menstruate to better understand their reproductive health and contraceptive choices through informed patient-centered contraceptive decision-making. MethodsResearchers partnered with the WISE (Women in the South-East) Telehealth Network to design, implement and evaluate the Do you want a period? brief educational intervention. Participants completed a longitudinal research study, including a web-based survey at baseline and a mobile-optimized text-based survey up to 6 weeks following baseline. ResultsDo you want a period? was believable (93%, n = 79), informative (89%, n = 76), and helpful (85%, n = 72). Participants who reported that the intervention was helpful were significantly more likely to be satisfied with the usefulness of information provided (OR 5.61 [95% CI 1.65–19.12]), the overall quality of services (OR 3.39 [95% CI 1.04–11.08)], and obtaining necessary medical care (OR 2.40 [95% CI 1.08–5.33)]. At longitudinal follow-up, participants who received contraceptive services reported high acceptability of intervention (4.51 (±0.53) out of 5). ConclusionsDo you want a period? envisions a new dialogue between women and clinicians, family, and friends. This brief educational intervention supports people who menstruate to determine if a safe and effective tailored contraceptive regimen is right for them.