Young women's attitudes towards, and experiences of, long-acting reversible contraceptives

Abstract

Objectives To identify factors involved in women's decisions to choose particular contraceptive methods and more specifically, incentives and disincentives to use three long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods: injectables, implants, and intrauterine devices/systems (IUDs/IUSs).

Methods A total of 502 women aged 18 to 30 completed a cross-sectional online questionnaire.

Results The three most important factors in choosing a contraceptive method were: high efficacy at preventing pregnancy, protection against sexually transmitted infections, and non-interference with sexual intercourse. The most common incentives for LARC use were the high efficacy and long duration of action. Disincentives included the possibility of irregular bleeding and concerns about effects on fertility; fear of needles and pain was a particular disincentive for IUD/IUS use. Only 93 (18%) of the participants reported ever having used a LARC.

Conclusions Reported disincentives to LARC use (e.g., concern about effects on future fertility) indicated that many young women hold inaccurate beliefs about these methods. The relatively high proportions of women who held neutral attitudes about LARCs (21–40%, depending on the method) highlight the importance of education and contraceptive counselling to improve knowledge about the advantages of these methods.

Chinese Abstract

摘 要目的 了解女性选择避孕方法的影响因素和应用三种长效可逆避孕方法（LARC）：注射避孕针、埋植剂和宫内节育器/宫内系统(IUDs / IUSs)的有利和不利因素。

方法 502名18～30岁女性完成了横断面在线问卷调查。

结果 在选择避孕方法的三个最重要的影响因素是：防止妊娠的高效性，预防性传播感染和不干扰性交。LARC使用最常见的有利因素是高效和长效性。不利因素包括不规则出血的可能性和对生育影响的担忧；对针和疼痛的恐惧是选用IUDs / IUSs 的不利因素。只有93（18%）的女性曾经使用过LARC。

结论 应用LARC的不利因素（如对将来生育影响的担忧）表示许多年轻女性对这些方法存在错误的观点。对LARCs持有中立态度的女性占相对较高的比例（21–40%）,提示教育和避孕咨询的重要性，以提高对这些方法优点的认识。

Keywords:

• Contraceptive implant
• Contraceptive injection
• Intrauterine device
• Intrauterine system
• Long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC)
• Young women

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.