Assessing contraceptive use as a continuum: outcomes of a qualitative assessment of the contraceptive journey
Abstract Background Contraceptive use is often a multi-decade experience for people who can become pregnant, yet few studies have assessed how this ongoing process impacts contraceptive decision-making in the context of the reproductive life course. Methods We conducted in-depth interviews assessing...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Book |
| Published: |
BMC,
2023-02-01T00:00:00Z.
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Connect to this object online. |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Summary: | Abstract Background Contraceptive use is often a multi-decade experience for people who can become pregnant, yet few studies have assessed how this ongoing process impacts contraceptive decision-making in the context of the reproductive life course. Methods We conducted in-depth interviews assessing the contraceptive journeys of 33 reproductive-aged people who had previously received no-cost contraception through a contraceptive initiative in Utah. We coded these interviews using modified grounded theory. Results A person's contraceptive journey occurred in four phases: identification of need, method initiation, method use, and method discontinuation. Within these phases, there were five main areas of decisional influence: physiological factors, values, experiences, circumstances, and relationships. Participant stories demonstrated the ongoing and complex process of navigating contraception across these ever-changing aspects. Individuals stressed the lack of any "right" method of contraception in decision-making and advised healthcare providers to approach contraceptive conversations and provision from positions of method neutrality and whole-person perspectives. Conclusions Contraception is a unique health intervention that requires ongoing decision-making without a particular "right" answer. As such, change over time is normal, more method options are needed, and contraceptive counseling should account for a person's contraceptive journey. |
|---|---|
| Item Description: | 10.1186/s12978-023-01573-4 1742-4755 |