“I talked to a couple of friends that had it”: Informal feminized health networks and contraceptive method choices

Dalessandro, Cristen; Thorpe, Rachael; Sanders, Jessica N.

doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114318

Cited by 7 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 40 publications

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“…This is supported by the bivariate results indicating that the ' difficulty in using modern methods' and 'fear' of their side effects were mostly given by women whose primary source of contraceptive knowledge were their "social networks" and 'the internet", respectively. Other studies also found that health behaviors, including contraceptive choice, are affected by information gained from the individual's social networks, including friends and family members, and the media [35][36][37][38][39] .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reasons for high prevalence of contraceptive withdrawal in Tehran, Iran

Amir

Kolahi

2023

Sci Rep

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This study explores reasons for withdrawal use that is highly prevalent in Iran. A face-to-face semi-structured survey questionnaire was designed and 79 married women aged 15–49, who were only using withdrawal when attending five primary healthcare centers in Tehran during September–October 2021 were interviewed. Results showed that withdrawal mostly was chosen by the couple (67%), and partly by the woman alone (19%) or by the husband alone (14%). Participants evaluated withdrawal positively that has no side effect and cost, is easy to use and accessible, and increases sexual pleasure and intimacy. Most women agreed that husbands use withdrawal to protect their wife's health (76%). Women obtained contraceptive information primarily from gynecologists (42%), the internet (21%), midwives in public health centers (19%), and social networks (18%). "Side effects of modern methods" (37%), "fear of side effects" (16%), and "reduction in sexual pleasure" (14%) were the major reasons reported for using withdrawal. While 'side effects' was given mostly by women who alone or with their husband chose withdrawal (52%, 38%), 'reduction in sexual pleasure' and 'fear of side effects' were mostly reported by women whose husband was the sole decision maker in choosing withdrawal (28%, 25%). The 'fear of side effects' was reported mostly by women who had lower education (21%), used the internet for contraceptive information (23%), and whose husband alone chose withdrawal (25%). Cost of modern methods was a trivial reason for using withdrawal. Most withdrawal users (75%) would not switch to modern methods even if they were freely accessible. More educated women and their husbands would be less likely to switch to modern methods even they were provided freely (OR 0.28, CI 0.10–0.80; OR 0.20, CI 0.07–0.59). However, women who were using modern methods before, and those who alone chose withdrawal would be more likely to switch to modern methods (OR 6.4, CI 2.0–20.2; OR 3.4, CI 1.1–11.2). Access to regular contraceptive counselling and public health campaigns could help women to deal with fears of side effects of modern methods, learn their proper use, and to receive education on how to use withdrawal more effectively to avoid unintended pregnancies.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%