Women's Contraceptive Choices Research Articles

Relationship between classic indicators of health behaviour and contraceptive choices in women in Flanders

BackgroundIn this study we shed light on ongoing trends in contraceptive use in Flanders (Belgium). Building on the fundamental cause theory and social diffusion of innovation theory, we examine socio-economic gradients in contraceptive use and the relationship to health behaviours.MethodsUsing the unique and recently collected (2020) ISALA data, we used multinomial logistic regression to model the uptake of contraceptives and its association to educational level and health behaviour (N:4316 women).ResultsHigher educated women, and women with a healthy lifestyle especially, tend to use non-hormonal contraceptives or perceived lower-dosage hormonal contraceptives that are still trustworthy from a medical point of view. Moreover, we identified a potentially vulnerable group in terms of health as our results indicate that women who do not engage in preventive health behaviours are more likely to use no, or no modern, contraceptive method.DiscussionThe fact that higher educated women and women with a healthy lifestyle are less likely to use hormonal contraceptive methods is in line with patient empowerment, as women no longer necessarily follow recommendations by healthcare professionals, and there is a growing demand for naturalness in Western societies.ConclusionThe results of this study can therefore be used to inform policy makers and reproductive healthcare professionals, since up-to-date understanding of women’s contraceptive choices is clearly needed in order to develop effective strategies to prevent sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancies, and in which women can take control over their sexuality and fertility in a comfortable and pleasurable way.

P660 Knowledge, attitudes, and awareness of contraceptive choices in women with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract Background Active inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) at conception is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Published literature suggests that almost a quarter of women with IBD do not use any form of contraception putting them at risk of unplanned pregnancy. Recent guidelines emphasise the importance of antenatal care in IBD patients, but contraception counselling and risk assessment are not addressed. Our aim was to explore the contraceptive knowledge, attitudes and preferences of women with IBD. Methods A 34-item questionnaire was prospectively administered to 245 consecutive female IBD patients aged 18–45 attending gastroenterology clinics. Disease control was measured using the validated IBD Control questionnaire, and contraceptive preferences assessed by the Contraceptive Features Survey. Results Of the 245 participants (see table 1), mean disease duration was 6.5 years, median IBD control score was 16.9 (range 0- 26), and 152 (62%) respondents had previously been pregnant. Almost three quarters of respondents (n=176) reported currently using contraception, and 41 (17%) were using highly effective contraceptives. The most commonly used contraceptives were oral birth control pills (27%) and barrier methods (18%). Participants who identified as Caucasian (74%) were more likely than those who identified as Asian (37%) to use contraception (p=0.0009). Patients who did not plan to conceive in the future were more likely to use contraception (p=0.0365). However, of the 58% (n=143) who had either no plans to conceive in the future or were unsure, 23% were not using any form of contraception, and 83% were not using a highly effective contraceptive. Current biologic therapy was significantly associated with highly effective contraceptive use (p=0.0275). Contraceptive features most important to women were effectiveness (78%), ease of use (76%), few or no side effects (68%) and not detracting from sexual enjoyment (65%). Only 25% patients (n=61) recalled discussing reproductive issues with their IBD clinician, however, 86% stated they would feel comfortable having this discussion. Women wished to receive family planning counselling from their IBD nurse (81%), General practitioner (77%), IBD doctor (68%), and gynaecologist (47%). Conclusion A quarter of patients in our cohort were not using any contraception and the majority were not using a highly effective form potentially increasing their risk of unplanned or mistimed pregnancy. Participants desired a contraceptive that was effective, easy to use and with minimal side effects. Our findings reflect the need for further studies to improve informed decision making with contraceptive counselling, to improve the overall quality of care for women with IBD.

The relatıonship between women's contraceptive method choices and marital adjustment

The relatıonship between women's contraceptive method choices and marital adjustment

“I talked to a couple of friends that had it”: Informal feminized health networks and contraceptive method choices

Scholars recognize that social networks can influence a number of health behaviors, including women's contraceptive method choices. However, the gendered dynamics underlying the process of using non-medical information sources to make decisions about contraception has received less attention. Using 30 semi-structured interviews with women enrolled in a contraceptive initiative in the western United States, we explore how women use gendered understandings of medicine and feminized social networks to make decisions about contraceptives. Frequently categorizing their experiences in medical settings as unsatisfactory, women often turn to social support networks of other women—what we call “informal feminized health networks”—to gather information about the effects of contraceptives on women's bodies and to make decisions about which contraceptives are best. While informal feminized health networks are useful, women utilize them in light of unsatisfactory experiences in clinical settings. Working to uproot the paternalistic legacy of institutionalized medicine and improving provider-patient communication will enhance contraceptive access and help women reach their reproductive goals.

Targeting Transition: a Novel Partnership with Family Medicine to Enhance Quality of Care and Outcomes for Adolescents and Young Adults with Sickle Cell Disease

Life expectancy for adults with sickle cell disease (SCD) has remained unchanged over the past 30 years despite improvements in pediatric SCD care and survival. Young adults who have recently transitioned from pediatric to adult care are at increased risk of death for several reasons. Inadequate preparation for transition to adult care, lack of adult hematologists with SCD expertise, and impaired cognitive function from either overt or silent cerebral infarcts caused by SCD contribute to the increased rate of acute care encounters and deaths in the 18-35 year age group and highlight the need for well-designed transition programs for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with SCD. Allen County ranks 3rd in SCD incidence among the 92 counties in Indiana, and has 3 board certified Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologists who provide care to children who live in the region. When children “age out” of the pediatric system, there are no adult hematologists willing to accept these individuals into their practice. This leaves a significant number of adults with SCD without a medical home or providers who are comfortable prescribing hydroxyurea (HU) or managing the myriad of SCD complications that can occur in adulthood. A novel partnership between our Pediatric and Adult Hematology practice and an Allen County Family Medicine residency program was initiated to educate Family Medicine residents and attending physicians (FPs) about SCD, including HU. The long term goal is to improve rates of successful transition from pediatric to adult care for AYAs with SCD.Three online educational modules about SCD (comprehensive care for AYAs with SCD, HU prescribing practices, best practices in transition for AYAs with SCD) were developed and CME-accredited. Prior to the rollout of the online educational modules, an electronic pre-test was distributed to 32 FP residents. The pre-test had 5 questions for each module. Questions about comprehensive care for AYAs covered reproductive health, contraception options for women with SCD, and recommended screening tests for AYAs with SCD. HU questions covered indications for and benefits of HU, dosing and monitoring for side effects. Questions about transition included social and cognitive milestones of adolescent development, the recommended components of a transition program, timing and need for SCD knowledge assessments. The protocol was reviewed by the St Vincent IRB which granted a waiver of consent.Twenty-four of the 32 (75%) FP residents completed the pre-test knowledge assessment. One third of respondents correctly identified the rationale for HU treatment for SCD, but two-thirds correctly answered the question about the clinical benefits of HU. Half of the FPs selected the correct starting dose of HU for adults, but only one of the 24 (4.2%) respondents were able to correctly identify the age at which HU should be offered to infants with SCD. Three of the 24 (12.5%) FP residents correctly selected the most common cause of death in adults with SCD. Thirty percent correctly identified AYAs between 18 and 21 years of age as a high risk for mortality. Two questions regarding reproductive health were included in the pre-test; one-fifth of FP residents correctly answered the female contraception question, but none answered the priapism question correctly. Twenty-two of 24 (92%) FP residents understood that AYAs with SCD should know the hemoglobinopathy trait status of their partners because of risks of giving birth to an infant with SCD. The majority also correctly answered questions about developmental milestones of adolescents and were aware that AYAs with SCD should be knowledgeable about outpatient pain management techniques.The majority of FP residents understand the clinical benefits of HU, but need more education about HU's mechanism of action and proper dosing. Additional education is also needed about appropriate contraceptive choices for women with SCD and priapism in men. An overwhelming majority of FPs correctly identified adolescent developmental milestones and understood that AYAs with SCD should have a baseline level of knowledge about their disease and its management. Future directions include comparing knowledge assessment results after the FP residents complete the three educational modules as well as repeating the knowledge assessments annually to assess knowledge retention. DisclosuresMeier:Pfizer: Research Funding; CVS Caremark: Consultancy.

Choosing Plan B Over Plan A: Risk Compensation Theory and Contraceptive Choice in India.

Can women's contraceptive method choice be better understood through risk compensation theory? This theory implies that people act with greater care when the perceived risk of an activity is higher and with less care when it is lower. We examine how increased over-the-counter access to emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) accompanied by marketing campaigns in India affected women's contraceptive method choices and incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Although ECPs substantially reduce the risk of pregnancy, they are less effective than other contraceptive methods and do not reduce the risk of STIs. We test whether an exogenous policy change that increased access to ECPs leads people to substitute away from other methods of contraception, such as condoms, thereby increasing the risk of both unintended pregnancy and STIs. We find evidence for risk compensation in terms of reduced use of condoms but not for increases in rates of STIs.

From awareness to usage of long‐acting reversible contraceptives: Results of a large European survey

ObjectiveThe PULSE survey investigated contraceptive decision making, focusing on the use of long‐acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) to determine reasons for their low adoption rates.MethodsAn online questionnaire was sent to women aged 18–49 years in 14 European countries who were considering starting or changing contraceptive method and asked questions based on four stages of contraceptive decision making: awareness, consideration, consultation, and adoption.ResultsOverall, 7221 women responded. LARC awareness was high (~73%) but current usage was low (11.3%). Only 24% of LARC‐aware women would consider switching to them. Factors associated with decision making differed depending on the stage: e.g. at the awareness phase, women were concerned with suitability, reversibility, and whether the method is hormonal; and at the consideration phase, the efficacy, convenience, and adverse‐effect profile were important. Healthcare professionals (HCPs) were the most trusted information source for women’s contraceptive decision making. LARCs were discussed less frequently during consultations than other contraceptives and HCPs may be perceived to hold negative opinions on LARCs.ConclusionA lack of knowledge about the features and benefits of LARCs can contribute to misconceptions and low adoption rates. HCPs play an important role in addressing this, as information conveyed during consultations influences women’s contraceptive choices.

Young Women's Complex Patterns of Contraceptive Use: Findings from an Australian Cohort Study.

Unintended pregnancy is common among young women. Understanding how such women use contraceptives- including method combinations-is essential to providing high-quality contraceptive care. Data were from a representative cohort of 2,965 Australian women aged 18-23 who participated in the 2012-2013 Contraceptive Use, Pregnancy Intention and Decisions baseline survey, had been heterosexually active in the previous six months, and were not pregnant or trying to conceive. Latent class analysis was employed to characterize women's contraceptive choices; multinomial logistic regression was used to evaluate correlates of membership in the identified classes. The vast majority of women (96%) reported using one or more contraceptives, most commonly short-acting hormonal methods (60%), barrier methods (38%), long-acting contraceptives (16%) and withdrawal (15%). In total, 32 combinations were reported. Four latent classes of method use were identified: no contraception (4% of women); short-acting hormonal methods with supplementation (59%, mostly the pill); high-efficacy contraceptives with supplementation (15%, all long-acting reversible contraceptive users); and low-efficacy contraceptive combinations (21%); supplementation usually involved barrier methods or withdrawal. Class membership differed according to women's characteristics; for example, women who had ever been pregnant were more likely than other women to be in the no-contraception, high-efficacy contraceptive or low-efficacy contraceptive combination classes than in the short-acting hormonal contraceptive class (odds ratios, 2.0-3.0). The complexity of women's contraceptive choices and the associations between latent classes and such characteristics as pregnancy history highlight the need for individualized approaches to pregnancy prevention and contraceptive care.

Variation in Postpartum Use of Most and Moderately Effective Contraceptive Methods Among Louisiana Women.

Women experiencing unintended and short-interval pregnancies are at increased risk for adverse outcomes. Nationally, researchers report disparities in women's use of effective contraceptive methods based on demographic, cultural, financial and system-level factors. Despite 58% of Louisiana births being unplanned, researchers have not reported on these relationships in Louisiana. We used Louisiana Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System data from 2015 to 2018. Among postpartum women who were not abstinent, pregnant, or trying to become pregnant, we estimated use of five categories of effective contraception versus no effective method. We used multivariable multinomial logistic regression to investigate the association between effective contraceptive use and race/ethnicity, postpartum insurance and education. Among Louisiana postpartum women who were not abstinent, pregnant, or trying to become pregnant, 35.4% were not using effective contraception. Women with public insurance had greater odds of using long-acting reversible contraception than women with private insurance (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.55; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11-2.16). Compared to women with a bachelor's or higher, women with less than high school (AOR 2.09; CI 1.22-3.56), high school (AOR 3.11; CI 2.01-4.82) or some college education (AOR 2.48; CI 1.64-3.75) had greater odds of using permanent contraception. Black (AOR 3.83; CI 2.66-5.54) and Hispanic (AOR 3.85; CI 2.09-7.11) women, women with less than high school (AOR 6.79; CI 2.72-16.94), high school (AOR 7.26; CI 3.06-17.21) and some college (AOR 7.22; CI 3.14-16.60), and women with public insurance (AOR 1.91; CI 1.28-2.87) had greater odds of using injectable contraception. Results showed variation in effective contraceptive method use by race/ethnicity, insurance and education. These findings highlight the need for state-level research intothe individual, provider, and policy-level factors that influence women's contraceptive choices.

Contraceptive Choices for Women with Intellectual Disability

Objective: To describe the case of contraceptive choices for women with intellectual disabilityMetode: A case reportResults: In the case of intellectual disability, we need to perform a holistic approach to the patient.Conclusion: Contraceptive method selection needs much consideration such as medical, ethical, law, and social aspect, therefore it's recommended to start giving an informed choice since antenatal care. The downside of this case is that medical practitioners often overlook the patient's degree of intellectual disability, hence, the patients' judgement, compliance, and self-treatment of complications. The result of counselling with the patient's family, they have chosen LARC method for this patient. Sterilization for eugenic reasons cannot be done because it violates law and ethics of medical practice in Indonesia.Keywords: eugenics, contraceptive, intellectual disability, sterilization.
 
 Abstrak
 Tujuan: Untuk menjelaskan tentang kasus pemilihan alat kontrasepsi untuk perempuan dengan disabilitas intelektualMetode: Laporan kasusKonklusi: Pemilihan alat kontrasepsi memerlukan pertimbangan berberapa aspek seperti factor medis, etika, hukum, dan sosial. Maka itu, edukasi tentang informed choice alat kontrasepsi perlu diberikan sejak mulai antenatal care. Kekurangan pada kasus ini yaitu tenaga medis tidak menilai derajat keparahan disabilitas intelektual pasien. Oleh karena itu, tenaga medis tidak dapat menilai tingkat kemampuan dalam pertimbangan, kepatuhan, dan perawatan diri sendiri terhadap komplikasi penyakit. Hasil dari konseling dengan keluarga pasien, mereka memilih metode LARC untuk pasien. Tindakan sterlisasi untuk alasan eugenik tidak dapat dilakukan, karena tindakan tersebut melanggar etika dan hokum praktik medis yang berlaku di Indonesia.Kata kunci: disabilitas intelektual, eugenik, kontrasepsi, sterilisasi.

Abstract 031: Association Between Non-Oral Hormonal Contraceptives and Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review

Background: Combined oral contraceptives (COCs) are associated with increased blood pressure (BP) and hypertension. Whether non-oral forms of hormonal contraceptive (NOHC) have similar associations is unknown. Methods: We conducted a systematic review investigating the association between NOHC use and blood pressure compared to women using COC and non-hormonal contraception (NHC). Three databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) were searched for articles published from database inception through October 2018. Primary studies examining women using NOHC [transdermal, hormonal intrauterine device (IUD), implant, vaginal ring or injectables] compared with women using COC or NHC were included. Two independent investigators screened identified abstracts. Data on study population, hormonal exposure, outcomes, study quality and risk of bias were independently extracted from each eligible study. Primary outcomes were change in BP or prevalence of hypertension. Quality of case control and cohort studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Quality of randomized control trials was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Results: Of 3981 studies reviewed, 22 met inclusion criteria (12 studies on injectables, 6 on implants, 4 on hormonal IUDs, 3 on the vaginal ring). Some studies examining the effect of IUD use showed a significantly lower BP compared to COC use, and no difference compared to NHC users. No differences in BP were reported with vaginal ring use compared to COC or NHC use. Conflicting results were presented with implant use compared to NHC use, but no change in BP compared to COC. Five studies reported increased BP with injectable use compared to COC and NHC, while seven studies showed no change in BP. All women remained in the normotensive range in all included studies. Conclusion: Non-oral hormonal contraceptive use is associated with increases in blood pressure, though the effects differ by route of administration. These results may inform contraceptive choices in women with or at risk of hypertension.

Employment Status and Contraceptive Choices of Women With Young Children in Turkey

The childcare burden is one of the main reasons behind the lower employment rate of women in Turkey, and the opportunity cost of childbearing is high for employed women (especially for those in higher-paid jobs). Since using an effective birth control method allows women to control the timing of reproduction, there may be differences in contraception behavior between employed women and women not working for pay. This study analyzes the impact of employment status of women with young children on their contraception behavior using data from the 2013 Turkey Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS). Results show that employed women, including family workers, are more likely to choose a modern method over a traditional one, particularly those working as government employees. Results also indicate that the likelihood of employment can be enhanced by increasing the share of public provision of childcare and preschool services.

Factors influencing young women's contraceptive choices.

Australia's high rate of unintended pregnancy could be lowered by increasing long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) use. Influences onAustralian women's choice of less effective methods are not well understood. This qualitative study explored factors that influence young women's contraceptive choices. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with women aged 18-24years until data saturation. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed. Contraceptive choice was influenced by factors including contraceptive knowledge, side effects, cultural norms, fear, control and social context. Women often initiated contraceptive use for non contraceptive purposes such as management of acne or period pain, and failed to reconsider new methods when needing contraception, revealing one possible explanation for low LARC use. Findings indicate that women's contraceptive choices need regular review. Information about relative efficacy of contraceptive methods is necessary should women's reasons for using contraception include birth control in addition to non-contraceptive benefits.

Contraceptive Choices in the Immediate Postpartum Period in Women With Cardiac Disease

Maternal cardiac disease (MCD) is associated with increased maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Because unplanned pregnancies are especially risky, active use of reliable contraception is critical in this population. Studies in the noncardiac population have demonstrated that the postpartum period is an ideal time to address contraceptive plans. This retrospective cohort study was designed to describe contraceptive choices in women with MCD in the immediate postpartum period and to identify factors associated with specific contraceptive plans. We included women with MCD who delivered from January 2008 to September 2017 at a tertiary care institution with a multidisciplinary obstetrics and cardiology team. Maternal demographics, specifics of MCD, obstetrical outcomes, and contraceptive plans were obtained through chart review. Contraceptive plans were categorized into highly reliable methods (sterilization or long-acting reversible contraceptive methods) or less reliable methods (nonlong-acting reversible contraceptive methods or no contraception). In the 254 women included in this study, 40% planned to use highly reliable methods, while 60% planned to use less reliable methods. Women with cardiomyopathy were more likely to choose a highly reliable method of contraception (adjusted odds ratio 2.6, 95% confidence interval 1.2 to 5.7), a reassuring finding, given the particularly high risk of poor pregnancy outcome with this diagnosis. There were no differences in other cardiac diagnoses between the 2 contraceptive groups. In conclusion, the finding that <50% of postpartum women with MCD plan to use a highly reliable method of contraception warrants further examination to identify and address barriers to reliable contraceptive plans in this high-risk population.

Cross cultural workers in maternity and child & family health services

In the United States, 45% of pregnancies continue to be unintended. Although many previous studies have focused on external barriers to contraceptive use such as cost or access, fewer studies have evaluated internal barriers such as individual characteristics. We hypothesize that high self-efficacy for contraception will be associated with use of more effective contraceptive methods.The analytic sample is 861 privately insured Pennsylvania women aged 18 to 40 years not intending pregnancy for 12 months at enrollment. Contraceptive self-efficacy (high vs. low) was measured using an eight-item scale. The association of self-efficacy with prescription contraceptive use was determined using multivariable logistic regression adjusting for future pregnancy intention, history of unintended pregnancy, number of live births, non-White race, frequency of sexual intercourse, marital status, and age group.Prescription contraceptive use was higher among those with high self-efficacy (adjusted odds ratio, 1.75; 95% confidence interval, 1.29–2.37).Women with high self-efficacy for contraception had an increased use of prescription contraceptive methods compared with nonprescription methods. Strategies for encouraging effective contraceptive choices in women with low contraceptive self-efficacy should be further studied.

High Self-Efficacy Is Associated with Prescription Contraceptive Use

In the United States, 45% of pregnancies continue to be unintended. Although many previous studies have focused on external barriers to contraceptive use such as cost or access, fewer studies have evaluated internal barriers such as individual characteristics. We hypothesize that high self-efficacy for contraception will be associated with use of more effective contraceptive methods. The analytic sample is 861 privately insured Pennsylvania women aged 18 to 40years not intending pregnancy for 12months at enrollment. Contraceptive self-efficacy (high vs. low) was measured using an eight-item scale. The association of self-efficacy with prescription contraceptive use was determined using multivariable logistic regression adjusting for future pregnancy intention, history of unintended pregnancy, number of live births, non-White race, frequency of sexual intercourse, marital status, and age group. Prescription contraceptive use was higher among those with high self-efficacy (adjusted odds ratio, 1.75; 95% confidence interval, 1.29-2.37). Women with high self-efficacy for contraception had an increased use of prescription contraceptive methods compared with nonprescription methods. Strategies for encouraging effective contraceptive choices in women with low contraceptive self-efficacy should be further studied.

Parental Gender Expectations by Socioeconomic Status and Nativity: Implications for Contraceptive Use.

Parental gender expectations, which may be egalitarian or not, may vary by nativity and socioeconomic status. Parental gender expectations provide a model for children's gender role attitudes and could also have effects on reproductive health over the life course, including women's contraceptive choices. Yet, parental gender expectations are not often studied quantitatively. Using the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, we examine how parental gender expectations in the United States vary by immigrant generation and socioeconomic status, whether parental gender expectations in adolescence are associated with young women's contraceptive use, and if nativity moderates that relationship. Results show that parental gender expectations vary significantly by immigrant generation and parental socioeconomic status. Both first and second generation women are significantly less likely to have lived in households with equal gender expectations compared to the third generation. Higher socioeconomic status is associated with equal gender expectations. Among participants from households with equal gender expectations, the second generation is more likely than the third generation is to use a male-controlled contraceptive method versus no method. Using a nationally representative sample, our study demonstrates that parental gender expectations vary by nativity and by the socioeconomic context of the family in which they are embedded as well as have a unique effect on the contraceptive behavior of second generation women.

Family planning under financial constraints

Abstract International evidence shows that contraceptive behavior depends, among other things, on socio-economic factors such as income and education. The aim of this paper is to analyze the relationship between low-income status and contraceptive behavior in Germany in more detail. As an indicator of low income we use the receipt of a means-tested benefit called “Unemployment Benefit II” (UB II). We assume that the transition into this benefit program is related to a change in women's contraceptive choices, in favor of using unpaid methods or no contraceptives at all. Using data from the German Family Panel pairfam, we focused on the use of any contraceptive method which involves costs to the user, as opposed to the use of methods which do not incur monetary costs (e.g., natural contraception) or the disuse of any contraceptives. Our bivariate logistic model on the pooled dataset shows that women receiving UB II without the intent to have children in the next two years are less likely to use paid contraceptives than non-recipients. However, this appears to be a spurious correlation, as the longitudinal hybrid model shows no relation between intrapersonal changes regarding UB II and the use of contraceptives subject to cost. This model also provides evidence that women with a migration background and lower education are less likely to use paid contraceptives.

Awareness and Perceptions of Emergency Contraceptive Pills Among Women in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Despite the commitment of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to expand the family planning method mix and increase access to services, awareness of emergency contraception is low among women, and the method remains underused and poorly integrated in family planning programming. Data from 15 focus group discussions conducted in 2016 among women aged 15-35 were used to examine awareness and perceptions of, and attitudes toward, emergency contraceptives. After facilitators explained emergency contraceptive pills' mechanism of action and other characteristics, participants were asked about the potential benefits and risks of making the method more widely available. Transcripts were analyzed using an iterative approach. Women reported employing a wide range of postcoital contraceptive behaviors, albeit often using inappropriate products, and generally agreed that emergency contraceptive pills seemed to be a potentially effective solution to their family planning needs. Perceived benefits and limitations of the method were almost always framed in reference to other, better-known contraceptives, and women expressed strong preferences for pharmacy-based provision that aligned with their usual behaviors for obtaining contraceptives. Participants were reluctant to see the method available for free. Emergency contraceptive pills have the potential to address gaps in the family planning method mix in the DRC. Assessing whether women have incomplete or erroneous information about family planning methods can provide better understanding of women's contraceptive choices in low-income countries.

Have Emergency Contraception and Medical Abortions altered Contraceptive Choices of Women?

Have Emergency Contraception and Medical Abortions altered Contraceptive Choices of Women?