Abstract
BackgroundEfforts are underway to develop an easy-to-use contraceptive microarray patch (MAP) that could expand the range of self-administrable methods. This paper presents results from a discrete choice experiment (DCE) designed to support optimal product design.MethodsWe conducted a DCE survey of users and non-users of contraception in New Delhi, India (496 women) and Ibadan, Nigeria (two versions with 530 and 416 women, respectively) to assess stated preferences for up to six potential product attributes: effect on menstruation, duration of effectiveness, application pain, location, rash after application, and patch size. We estimated Hierarchical Bayes coefficients (utilities) for each attribute level and ran simulations comparing women’s preferences for hypothetical MAPs with varying attribute combinations.ResultsThe most important attributes of the MAP were potential for menstrual side effects (55% of preferences in India and 42% in Nigeria) and duration (13% of preferences in India and 24% in Nigeria). Women preferred a regular period over an irregular or no period, and a six-month duration to three or one month. Simulations show that the most ideal design would be a small patch, providing 6 months of protection, that would involve no pain on administration, result in a one-day rash, and be applied to the foot.ConclusionsTo the extent possible, MAP developers should consider method designs and formulations that limit menstrual side effects and provide more than one month of protection.
Highlights
Efforts are underway to develop an easy-to-use contraceptive microarray patch (MAP) that could expand the range of self-administrable methods
MAP developers should consider users’ preferences for no menstrual side effects and a longeracting product when making design decisions to ensure the development of a successful product
We based the development of the discrete choice experiment (DCE) on an initial qualitative component of this study including focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews (IDIs) with women and In-depth interview (IDI) with family planning providers
Summary
Efforts are underway to develop an easy-to-use contraceptive microarray patch (MAP) that could expand the range of self-administrable methods. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), an estimated one in three women who would like to avoid or delay pregnancy are not using a modern method of contraception [1]. Reasons documented for this unmet need for family planning (FP) include problems with access to FP methods, opposition to contraception from women and/or their sexual partners, and method-related reasons [1, 2]. In the realm of family planning, condoms, pills, and emergency contraceptives have offered “self-care” options for decades, and new delivery methods such as self-injection with Sayana Press® [6], and still in early stages of development, a microarray patch (MAP) have the potential to give women even more options under their control
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