{"title":"A practical alternative to calculating unmet need for family planning.","authors":"Irit Sinai, Susan Igras, Rebecka Lundgren","doi":"10.2147/OAJC.S137705","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2147/OAJC.S137705","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The standard approach for measuring unmet need for family planning calculates actual, physiological unmet need and is useful for tracking changes at the population level. We propose to supplement it with an alternate approach that relies on individual perceptions and can improve program design and implementation. The proposed approach categorizes individuals by their perceived need for family planning: real met need (current users of a modern method), perceived met need (current users of a traditional method), real no need, perceived no need (those with a physiological need for family planning who perceive no need), and perceived unmet need (those who realize they have a need but do not use a method). We tested this approach using data from Mali (n=425) and Benin (n=1080). We found that traditional method use was significantly higher in Benin than in Mali, resulting in different perceptions of unmet need in the two countries. In Mali, perceived unmet need was much higher. In Benin, perceived unmet need was low because women believed (incorrectly) that they were protected from pregnancy. Perceived no need - women who believed that they could not become pregnant despite the fact that they were fecund and sexually active - was quite high in both countries. We posit that interventions that address perceptions of unmet need, in addition to physiological risk of pregnancy, will more likely be effective in changing behavior. The suggested approach for calculating unmet need supplements the standard calculations and is helpful for designing programs to better address women's and men's individual needs in diverse contexts.</p>","PeriodicalId":74348,"journal":{"name":"Open access journal of contraception","volume":"8 ","pages":"53-59"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-07-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.2147/OAJC.S137705","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"35783002","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aparna Jain, Laura Reichenbach, Iqbal Ehsan, Ubaidur Rob
{"title":"\"Side effects affected my daily activities a lot\": a qualitative exploration of the impact of contraceptive side effects in Bangladesh.","authors":"Aparna Jain, Laura Reichenbach, Iqbal Ehsan, Ubaidur Rob","doi":"10.2147/OAJC.S140214","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2147/OAJC.S140214","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>In a country like Bangladesh that has made great progress in contraceptive use with one of the lowest levels of fertility and highest levels of contraceptive use, understanding what factors influence women's decisions to discontinue a contraceptive method and not switch to a new method is critical in designing interventions and programs that will help enable Bangladesh to reach its FP2020 goals. Research on side effects has focused on physical manifestations like headaches, moodiness, abdominal pain, and menstrual irregularities. While physical effects alone may stop women from continuing a contraceptive method, less is known about how side effects influence women's daily activities and lives. The purpose of this study is to understand the ways that side effects affect Bangladeshi women's participation in different social settings.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Thirty-five in-depth interviews with married women who recently discontinued or switched to a different contraceptive method were conducted in Sylhet and Khulna Divisions. Interviews explored reasons for discontinuation including experience of side effects and impact of side effects on women's lives.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Key themes emerged including that side effects are not only experienced physically but are barriers to women's participation in many aspects of their lives. The spheres of life that most commonly appeared to be influenced by side effects include religion, household, and sexual intimacy irrespective of method used or residence.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Family planning providers need to be aware of these additional consequences associated with contraceptive side effects to provide tailored counseling that recognizes these issues and helps women to mitigate them. For Bangladesh to achieve its FP2020 goals, understanding the broader context in which family planning decisions are made vis-à-vis side effects is critical to design programs and interventions that meet all the needs of women beyond just their fertility intentions.</p>","PeriodicalId":74348,"journal":{"name":"Open access journal of contraception","volume":"8 ","pages":"45-52"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.2147/OAJC.S140214","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"35783001","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Anderson Sanches de Melo, Rosana Maria Dos Reis, Rui Alberto Ferriani, Carolina Sales Vieira
{"title":"Hormonal contraception in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: choices, challenges, and noncontraceptive benefits.","authors":"Anderson Sanches de Melo, Rosana Maria Dos Reis, Rui Alberto Ferriani, Carolina Sales Vieira","doi":"10.2147/OAJC.S85543","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2147/OAJC.S85543","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder among women of reproductive age characterized by chronic anovulation and polycystic ovary morphology and/or hyperandrogenism. Management of clinical manifestations of PCOS, such as menstrual irregularities and hyperandrogenism symptoms, includes lifestyle changes and combined hormonal contraceptives (CHCs). CHCs contain estrogen that exerts antiandrogenic properties by triggering the hepatic synthesis of sex hormone-binding globulin that reduces the free testosterone levels. Moreover, the progestogen present in CHCs and in progestogen-only contraceptives suppresses luteinizing hormone secretion. In addition, some types of progestogens directly antagonize the effects of androgens on their receptor and also reduce the activity of the 5α reductase enzyme. However, PCOS is related to clinical and metabolic comorbidities that may limit the prescription of CHCs. Clinicians should be aware of risk factors, such as age, smoking, obesity, diabetes, systemic arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia, and a personal or family history, of a venous thromboembolic event or thrombophilia. This article reports a narrative review of the available evidence of the safety of hormonal contraceptives in women with PCOS. Considerations are made for the possible impact of hormonal contraceptives on endocrine, metabolic, and cardiovascular health.</p>","PeriodicalId":74348,"journal":{"name":"Open access journal of contraception","volume":"8 ","pages":"13-23"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-02-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.2147/OAJC.S85543","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"35781995","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Oral contraceptive and acute intestinal ischemia with mesenteric venous thrombosis: a case report.","authors":"Aude Béliard, Lucie Verreth, Pascale Grandjean","doi":"10.2147/OAJC.S124625","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2147/OAJC.S124625","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Venous thrombosis is a serious complication of combined contraceptive usage. However, mesenteric venous thrombosis and intestinal necrosis are infrequently seen in women using oral contraceptives, and in such cases diagnosis is often delayed.</p><p><strong>Case presentation: </strong>We report the case of a 38-year-old obese female patient who presented with acute abdominal pain. A bowel infection was first diagnosed and treated with antibiotics. Contrast-enhanced tomography of the abdomen revealed diffuse ischemia of the small intestine with superior mesenteric thrombosis. Laparotomy with segmental resection of both small and large bowel was performed. No predisposing factor of mesenteric venous thrombosis was demonstrated except association of the combined contraceptive with obesity.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This report highlights the need for clinicians to suspect venous mesenteric thrombosis in women of reproductive age with acute abdominal pain and poor physical findings. Detailed personal history including prescriptions should help to quickly and accurately determine the problem.</p>","PeriodicalId":74348,"journal":{"name":"Open access journal of contraception","volume":"8 ","pages":"9-11"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-01-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.2147/OAJC.S124625","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"35781528","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rachel E Zigler, Jeffrey F Peipert, Qiuhong Zhao, Ragini Maddipati, Colleen McNicholas
{"title":"Long-acting reversible contraception use among residents in obstetrics/gynecology training programs.","authors":"Rachel E Zigler, Jeffrey F Peipert, Qiuhong Zhao, Ragini Maddipati, Colleen McNicholas","doi":"10.2147/OAJC.S126771","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2147/OAJC.S126771","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The objective of the study was to estimate the personal usage of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) among obstetrics and gynecology (Ob/Gyn) residents in the United States and compare usage between programs with and without a Ryan Residency Training Program (Ryan Program), an educational program implemented to enhance resident training in family planning.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>We performed a web-based, cross-sectional survey to explore contraceptive use among Ob/Gyn residents between November and December 2014. Thirty-two Ob/Gyn programs were invited to participate, and 24 programs (75%) agreed to participate. We divided respondents into two groups based on whether or not their program had a Ryan Program. We excluded male residents without a current female partner as well as residents who were currently pregnant or trying to conceive. We evaluated predictors of LARC use using bivariate analysis and multivariable Poisson regression.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 638 residents surveyed, 384 (60.2%) responded to our survey and 351 were eligible for analysis. Of those analyzed, 49.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 44.1%, 54.5%) reported current LARC use: 70.0% of residents in Ryan Programs compared to 26.8% in non-Ryan Programs (RR<sub>adj</sub> 2.14, 95% CI 1.63-2.80). Residents reporting a religious affiliation were less likely to use LARC than those who described themselves as non-religious (RR<sub>adj</sub> 0.76, 95% CI 0.64-0.92). Of residents reporting LARC use, 91% were using the levonorgestrel intrauterine device.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>LARC use in this population of women's health specialists is substantially higher than in the general population (49% vs. 12%). Ob/Gyn residents in programs affiliated with the Ryan Program were more likely to use LARC.</p>","PeriodicalId":74348,"journal":{"name":"Open access journal of contraception","volume":"8 ","pages":"1-7"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-01-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.2147/OAJC.S126771","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"35781527","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Violeta J Rodriguez, Ryan R Cook, Stephen M Weiss, Karl Peltzer, Deborah L Jones
{"title":"Psychosocial correlates of patient-provider family planning discussions among HIV-infected pregnant women in South Africa.","authors":"Violeta J Rodriguez, Ryan R Cook, Stephen M Weiss, Karl Peltzer, Deborah L Jones","doi":"10.2147/OAJC.S134124","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2147/OAJC.S134124","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Patient-provider family planning discussions and preconception counseling can reduce maternal and neonatal risks by increasing adherence to provider recommendations and antiretroviral medication. However, HIV-infected women may not discuss reproductive intentions with providers due to anticipation of negative reactions and stigma. This study aimed to identify correlates of patient-provider family planning discussions among HIV-infected women in rural South Africa, an area with high rates of antenatal HIV and suboptimal rates of prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV. Participants were N=673 pregnant HIV-infected women who completed measures of family planning discussions and knowledge, depression, stigma, intimate partner violence, and male involvement. Participants were, on average, 28 ± 6 years old, and half of them had completed at least 10-11 years of education. Most women were unemployed and had a monthly income of less than ~US$76. Fewer than half of the women reported having family planning discussions with providers. Correlates of patient-provider family planning discussions included younger age, discussions about PMTCT of HIV, male involvement, and decreased stigma (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Depression was indirectly associated with patient-provider family planning discussions through male involvement (<i>b</i> = -0.010, bias-corrected 95% confidence interval [bCI] [-0.019, -0.005]). That is, depression decreased male involvement, and in turn, male involvement increased patient-provider family planning discussions. Therefore, by decreasing male involvement, depression indirectly decreased family planning discussions. Study findings point to the importance of family planning strategies that address depression and facilitate male involvement to enhance communication between patients and providers and optimize maternal and neonatal health outcomes. This study underscores the need for longitudinal assessment of men's impact on family planning discussions both pre- and postpartum. Increasing support for provision of mental health services during pregnancy is merited to ensure the health of pregnant women living with HIV and their infants.</p>","PeriodicalId":74348,"journal":{"name":"Open access journal of contraception","volume":"8 ","pages":"25-33"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.2147/OAJC.S134124","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"35098396","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Marisa Echenique, Rachel S Bookman, Violeta J Rodriguez, Richard P LaCabe, JoNell Efantis Potter, Deborah L Jones
{"title":"HIV is always with me: men living with perinatally acquired HIV and planning their families.","authors":"Marisa Echenique, Rachel S Bookman, Violeta J Rodriguez, Richard P LaCabe, JoNell Efantis Potter, Deborah L Jones","doi":"10.2147/OAJC.S137789","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2147/OAJC.S137789","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Once expected to not survive childhood, youth with perinatally-acquired HIV have now reached young adulthood are of reproductive age and sexually active. Given the health impact of pregnancy among YPHIV, understanding reproductive decision making may inform preconception counseling strategies. Most literature regarding reproductive health among YPHIV focuses on women, overlooking one of the most important factors influencing the reproductive decision making process, male sexual partners. This manuscript examined attitudes, perceptions and experiences of young men with perinatally-acquired HIV (YMPHIV) regarding family planning and relationships, safer sex, disclosure, stigma and psychological health. Participants (n = 21) were YMPHIV aged 18-24 recruited in Miami, Florida. Focus groups (n = 4) were conducted; qualitative data were analyzed using grounded theory. HIV disclosure, stigma, fertility intentions, safer preconception knowledge, attitudes and practices, family planning communication with medical providers and family, and mental health emerged as themes. Results suggest that despite accurate knowledge regarding healthy preconception practices, psychopathology, substance use, and stigma, impact the uptake of HIV healthcare interventions. Effective interventions on preconception counseling may require more tailored approaches than knowledge-based psychoeducation alone, such as inclusion of psychological treatment, which could be offered in HIV healthcare settings to optimize health outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":74348,"journal":{"name":"Open access journal of contraception","volume":"8 ","pages":"35-43"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.2147/OAJC.S137789","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"35206113","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Improving adolescent knowledge of emergency contraception: challenges and solutions.","authors":"Sujatha Seetharaman, Sophia Yen, Seth D Ammerman","doi":"10.2147/OAJC.S97075","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2147/OAJC.S97075","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Globally, unintended adolescent pregnancies pose a significant burden. One of the most important tools that can help prevent unintended pregnancy is the timely use of emergency contraception (EC), which in turn will decrease the need for abortions and complications related to adolescent pregnancies. Indications for the use of EC include unprotected sexual intercourse, contraceptive failure, or sexual assault. Use of EC is recommended within 120 hours, though is most effective if used as soon as possible after unprotected sex. To use EC, adolescents need to be equipped with knowledge about the various EC methods, and how and where EC can be accessed. Great variability in the knowledge and use of EC around the world exists, which is a major barrier to its use. The aims of this paper were to 1) provide a brief overview of EC, 2) discuss key social determinants affecting knowledge and use of EC, and 3) explore best practices for overcoming the barriers of lack of knowledge, use, and access of EC.</p>","PeriodicalId":74348,"journal":{"name":"Open access journal of contraception","volume":"7 ","pages":"161-173"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-11-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.2147/OAJC.S97075","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"35781526","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Susan H Walker, Victoria L Newton, Lesley Hoggart, Mike J Parker
{"title":"Predictors of non-use of intrauterine contraception among women aged 18-49 years in a general practice setting in the UK.","authors":"Susan H Walker, Victoria L Newton, Lesley Hoggart, Mike J Parker","doi":"10.2147/OAJC.S116994","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2147/OAJC.S116994","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Our research examined the barriers to the uptake of intrauterine contraception (IUC) by women in a general practice (GP) setting in the UK. This study reports predictors of non-use of IUC in this context.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>We used a mixed method Qual/Quant approach in which the initial qualitative research provides a framework for subsequent larger quantitative surveys. Utilizing findings derived from 30 qualitative interviews, a quantitative survey was developed and distributed to a pragmatic sample of 1,195 women, aged 18-49 years, who were recruited through 32 participating GP practices in an area of England, UK. Outcome measures were percentage of attributes or responses in the sample and use or non-use of IUC. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis and binary logistic regression, using use/non-use as a binary response variable.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Attitudinal variables, which were the strongest predictors of non-use of IUC, were an adverse opinion on long-acting aspect of IUC (odds ratio [OR]=8.34), disliking the thought of IUC inside the body (OR=3.138), concerns about IUC causing difficulties becoming pregnant in the future (OR=2.587), concerns about womb damage (OR=2.224), having heard adverse opinions about levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (Mirena<sup>®</sup>) (OR=2.551), having an adverse opinion of having light, irregular periods (OR=2.382) and, having an adverse opinion of having no periods (OR=2.018).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Concerns about the long-acting nature of IUC and persisting concerns about the safety of IUC may act as barriers to its use. Information for women, tailored to specifically address these concerns, is needed.</p><p><strong>Implications: </strong>Clinicians should provide more reassurance and information to potential users of IUC to increase their confidence about the possibility of removing IUC early or on request. They should also specifically seek to alleviate concerns about internal damage, damage to the womb, or damage to future fertility from using the methods.</p>","PeriodicalId":74348,"journal":{"name":"Open access journal of contraception","volume":"7 ","pages":"155-160"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-10-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.2147/OAJC.S116994","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"35781525","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}