Contraceptive choices: An exploratory study of how they are made

Abstract

This paper presents some findings from a prospective study of women's contraceptive decision making which attempted to explain how women choose between imperfect methods available and why they continue or discontinue with those methods. Over 900 consultations between women and heath care professionals were observed in a number of different settings throughout Scotland. Later the staff concerned and some of the patients were interviewed about the consultations.

The paper concentrates on the points in the life cycle where women typically make contraceptive choices and the nature of the subsequent decision. For most women most of the time, obtaining contraception is a chore which can be likened to a medical errand. They often put up with unsatisfactory methods for long periods and appear to consider a limited range of options when they do change methods. The ways in which such decisions are made and recounted, and the limitations of existing decision-making models are discussed.