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Family Planning Providers' Perspectives On Dual Protection
Author(s) -
Mantell Joanne E.,
Hoffman Susie,
Exner Theresa M.,
Stein Zena A.,
Atkins Kim
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
perspectives on sexual and reproductive health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.818
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1931-2393
pISSN - 1538-6341
DOI - 10.1363/3507103
Subject(s) - dual (grammatical number) , business , process management , philosophy , linguistics
CONTEXT : Family planning providers can play an important role in helping women to identify their risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and to adopt preventive measures. In‐depth investigation of providers' attitudes about approaches to STD risk assessment, contraceptive counseling and dual protection–concurrent protection from STDs and unintended pregnancy–has been limited.METHODS : In semistructured interviews conducted in 1998, 22 health care providers from a large New York City agency offering contraceptive and STD services described how they balanced STD and pregnancy concerns, viewed risk assessment and assessed various contraceptive methods.RESULTS : STD prevention was seen as an integral part of family planning counseling, and most providers believed that risk assessment should be conducted universally. Providers viewed dual protection as use of condoms along with an effective contraceptive; few advocated use of the male or female condom alone. The female condom was believed to be a disease prevention method of last resort and was considered appropriate only for specific groups of women. Although providers lacked understanding about the effectiveness of the female condom and how to counsel clients concerning its use, they expressed interest in learning more.CONCLUSIONS : Training is needed to reduce providers' negative perceptions of the female condom and to reinforce the importance of individualized counseling tailored to women's specific circumstances. Studies are needed on how to encourage family planning providers to promote male and female condoms as effective contraceptive methods.