Abstract

GOMEZ-SANCHEZ, Pio Iván  and  PARDO, Yaira. Perception regarding contraceptive use in Bogotá, Colombia, 2009: A qualitative study. Rev Colomb Obstet Ginecol [online]. 2010, vol.61, n.1, pp.34-41. ISSN 0034-7434.

Objective: using a qualitative approach to ascertain current contraception use in the population being studied, the reasons for abandoning/changing a particular contraceptive method, a contraceptive’s ideal characteristics and perceptions regarding a new contraceptive method. Methodology: four focal groups were used: students from several courses attending a private university and a public university, working females and housewives. Convenience sampling and the snowball technique were used. In-depth interviews were held following participants' prior verbal approval; the interviews were recorded and then manually transcribed. Analysis of the conversations involved coding and inductive open categorization. Results: the participants considered that choice of contraceptive method depends on ease of purchase or whether their health insurance provides it. Many myths were identified regarding hormonal contraceptive use. Decisive factors for contraceptive choice were their effectiveness, the secondary effects involved, the possibility of forgetting to use a chosen method and menstrual cycle control. The ideal contraception method would have to be safe, effective, needing little recall, easy to use, would not involve weight-gain or produce amenorrhea. Conclusions: it became obvious that work must be done on demystifying beliefs regarding the use of some methods. Health care providers must ensure that appropriate contraceptive counseling is available, providing accurate information regarding contraceptive mechanisms’ action and their secondary effects to improve adherence to a chosen method.

Keywords : female contraceptive agents; perception.

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