Nanda Geeta, Rademacher Kate, Solomon Marsden, Mercer Sarah, Wawire Jim, Ngahu Rose
a Family Health International (FHI 360) , Washington , DC , USA.
b Family Health International (FHI 360) , Durham , NC , USA.
Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care. 2018 Aug;23(4):303-308. doi: 10.1080/13625187.2018.1499892. Epub 2018 Sep 10.
The levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) is an underused contraceptive method in sub-Saharan Africa. A recent market assessment in Kenya found that if a more affordable version of the method were available it may increase demand and uptake of the method. We therefore aimed to examine attitudes and perceptions around the LNG-IUS and experiences of method use, including exploring attributes such as bleeding changes, contraceptive-related amenorrhoea and perceived non-contraceptive benefits.
Qualitative interviews were conducted among 29 women who were current or recent users of the LNG-IUS, and among a subset (n = 9) of their husbands/partners.
Our findings indicate that women's main reason for choosing the LNG-IUS for contraception was their perception that the method had fewer side effects compared with other contraceptive methods. Women had favourable attitudes towards using the LNG-IUS. Husbands were also very positive about their partner's use of the method.
Understanding the motivations and experiences of early adopters of the LNG-IUS can help inform the development of demand creation and communication strategies to influence uptake and continuation of the LNG-IUS both in Kenya and perhaps more broadly. Communication efforts that emphasise the positive attributes of the LNG-IUS could help promote wider use of the method, especially if new, more affordable product(s) become available.
左炔诺孕酮宫内节育系统（LNG-IUS）在撒哈拉以南非洲是一种未得到充分利用的避孕方法。肯尼亚最近的一项市场评估发现，如果该方法有更实惠的版本，可能会增加对其的需求和使用。因此，我们旨在研究围绕LNG-IUS的态度和看法以及该方法的使用体验，包括探索诸如出血变化、与避孕相关的闭经和感知到的非避孕益处等属性。
对29名当前或近期使用LNG-IUS的女性及其部分丈夫/伴侣（n = 9）进行了定性访谈。
我们的研究结果表明，女性选择LNG-IUS进行避孕的主要原因是她们认为该方法与其他避孕方法相比副作用更少。女性对使用LNG-IUS持积极态度。丈夫们对其伴侣使用该方法也非常支持。
了解LNG-IUS早期使用者的动机和体验有助于为需求创造和沟通策略的制定提供信息，以影响肯尼亚乃至更广泛地区对LNG-IUS的采用和持续使用。强调LNG-IUS积极属性的宣传努力可能有助于推广该方法的更广泛使用，特别是如果有新的、更实惠的产品上市。
