This study used qualitative data to address one broad question: what are the circumstances that lead women to seek emergency contraceptive pills (ECP)? The data consisted of interviews with 32 women who had sought ECP at a health clinic. The most striking similarity between the women interviewed was that the vast majority had made at least one attempt to control their fertility prior to seeking ECP. Based on the women’s stories, the authors identified 5 categories of barriers that impacted the ability of the women to exercise control over their fertility: contraceptive related, system/provider related, knowledge, partner related and moral/values. The authors argue that their findings support the need for comprehensive sexuality education, no- or low-cost family planning services in each community, and timely access to providers for ECP and other forms of contraception.
Learning Objectives: 1.) Description of Presentation: · Participants will learn about the findings from this qualitative study of women seeking emergency contraception, specifically about the five types of barriers to fertility control that the authors identified. 2.) Expected Outcomes: · Participants will be able to articulate the benefits of qualitative research for understanding women’s use of emergency contraception. · Participants will be able to identify the types of barriers that women encounter in their efforts to control their fertility, and will be able to give examples of each. · Participants will be able to discuss potential strategies to use to address barriers to fertility control. 3.) Learning Objectives: · Articulate the benefits of qualitative research for understanding women’s use of emergency contraception. · Identify the types of barriers that women encounter in their efforts to control their fertility, and will be able to give examples of each. · Describe potential strategies to use to address barriers to fertility control.
Keywords: Contraception, Reproductive Health Research
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.