Development and Pilot Testing of Theory Based Comic for Intrauterine Device Information [25A]

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: A growing number of comics are being published on health-related topics. Comics use narrative communication. Translation of lived experiences into stories can be powerfully illustrated through comics. METHODS: The intrauterine device (IUD) comic was developed with theoretical concepts of health belief model and social cognitive theory. We tested the validity of the comic with women’s health experts. With IRB approval, the content of the comic was pilot tested among patients with a cross sectional survey. In addition to demographic information, questions in the survey had patients rate the comic on a scale of 1-5 (5= most favorable) about different aspects of the cartoon. RESULTS: 30 women who underwent an IUD insertion at student health center (mean age 24) evaluated the comic. The comic was ‘really liked’ by women (mean score 4.66). The content of the comic scored high (>4.5/5) when evaluated by patients for color, images, overall look, layout, ease of understanding the material, clarity of words and satisfaction with information. Participants strongly agreed (>4.4/5) that the comic was successful in providing information about the types of IUDs, its effectiveness, mechanism of action, risks and benefits in addition to the placement details. They strongly believed that seeing this comic prior to IUD insertion would be helpful. CONCLUSION: Given the growing popularity of comics for health education, comics for contraception education have promising future to become sustainable educational tool. We are disseminating these comics as booklets, webpages and mobile applications. A quasi-experimental study is being conducted to evaluate its effect on IUD knowledge.