Contraceptive counselling experiences in Spain in the process of creating a web-based contraceptive decision support tool: a qualitative study

Abstract

Background The choice of contraceptive method is a complex decision, and professionals should offer counselling based on the preferences, values and personal situation of the user(s). Some users are unsatisfied with the counselling received, which may, among other consequences, adversely affect method use adherence. In view of this situation, we propose exploring the experiences and needs of users and professionals for contraceptive counselling, in the context of creating a web-based contraceptive decision support tool. Methods/design Qualitative research was conducted through focus group discussions (64 users split into eight groups, and 19 professionals in two groups, in Tarragona, Spain) to explore the subjects’ experiences and needs. The data were categorized and the categories were defined and classified based on the three-step protocol or framework for Quality on Contraceptive Counseling (QCC), created by experts, which reviews the quality of interactions between user and professional during the counselling process. Results In counselling, users demand more information about the different methods, in an environment of erroneous knowledge and misinformation, which lead to false beliefs and myths in the population that are not contrasted by the professional in counselling. They complain that the method is imposed on them and that their views regarding the decision are not considered. Professionals are concerned that their lack of training leads to counselling directed towards the methods they know best. They acknowledge that a paternalistic paradigm persists in the healthcare they provide, and decision support tools may help to improve the situation. Conclusions Users feel unsatisfied and/or demand more information and a warmer, more caring approach. Professionals are reluctant to assume a process of shared decision-making. The use of a contraception DST website may solve some shortcomings in counselling detected in our environment.

Perceptions of family planning among married women aged 18 to 49 years and healthcare providers in Raipur, India: A qualitative study

“…Certain believes and myths(such as intake of oblation can prevent pregnancy), cultural practices, religious in uences(especially in Muslim community), pregnancy expectation early in marriage, fear of perceived side-effects(especially for IUCD), denial for female sterilization due to health conditions were some of the barriers to contraceptive use. Similar reasons were quoted by prior research, indicating that these barriers have not changed over time (11) (12) (13)(15)(16). Interestingly, the side-effects reported which in uenced women's utilization of any type of contraceptive were based on rumours and hearsay, rather than personal experience (14) (15).…”

“…However, in this study the providers indicated that practically it is very di cult to counsel due to lack of time and human resources. Few studies (14) (11) claimed that inadequate advice was offered by providers in the manner that they were most comfortable with, due to a lack of proper training or knowledge about other methods, thus preventing them from advising and administering customised contraceptives. This nding was also found in the current study, where the RMA stated that there was a lack of formal training in various contraceptive methods, which led to bias toward the only methods they were familiar with.…”

Determinants of quality contraceptive counselling information among young women in Sierra Leone: insights from the 2019 Sierra Leone demographic health survey

“…In Sierra Leone, proportion of younger women receiving good quality FP counselling services is higher compared to findings from countries in Sub-Saharan Africa such as Kenya (56.7%), Uganda (34.9%) and Senegal (18%) [ 8 , 29 , 39 ]. Furthermore, studies from other regions in countries such as Nepal and Spain indicated that the quality of FP counselling services were low and unsatisfactory based on the patient expectations and experience thus demanding for more information about the different methods [ 40 , 41 ]. The difference in the findings could probably be due to different study designs and populations.…”

Kepuasan Akseptor terhadap Pelayanan Pemasangan Kontrasepsi Implan di Provinsi Banten Pasca Pandemi Covid-19

“…Akseptor juga merasa penting mendapatkan informasi tentang kontrasepsi yang diberikan dan penggunaannya diberikan, walaupun di lapangan tidak selalu dilakukan dengan ideal seperti yang diharapkan oleh akseptor (Thongmixay et al, 2020). Kehandalan, perilaku, komunikasi, dan pendekatan yang tepat dari provider mempengaruhi nilai pelayanan dan kepuasan pengguna layanan kesehatan (Manzoor et al, 2019;Park et al, 2021;Reyes-Martí et al, 2021).…”