The use of long-acting reversible contraceptives: a quasi-experimental study in Indonesia

Abstract

Background Contraceptive counselling and mobile applications may positively increase the use of contraceptives among married women. This study's aim was to examine the effect of structured counselling and mobile applications on knowledge, self-efficacy and the intention to use long-acting reversible contraceptives. Methods This was a quasi-experimental study with participants who received either structured counselling and use of a mobile app (n=50) or only routine counselling (n=50) in two healthcare centres with family planning services in Langsa, Indonesia. Chi-squared and the independent t-test as well as a general equational model were used to analyse the results. Results There was a significant improvement in knowledge, self-efficacy and the intention to use long-acting reversible contraceptives use after 12 weeks in both groups. The differences in knowledge, self-efficacy and intention to use long-acting reversible contraceptives between groups after 4 and 12 weeks were statistically significant (P<0.001). Conclusions A combination of 12-week structured counselling and mobile application use can effectively increase knowledge and self-efficacy, affecting the intention to use long-acting reversible contraceptives of married women in Indonesia.