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  • Title: A Qualitative Study of Young Women's Beliefs About Intrauterine Devices: Fear of Infertility.
    Author: Payne JB, Sundstrom B, DeMaria AL.
    Journal: J Midwifery Womens Health; 2016 Jul; 61(4):482-8. PubMed ID: 26971722.
    Abstract:
    INTRODUCTION: Approximately 80% of college-aged women are at risk of unintended pregnancy. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods, including intrauterine devices (IUDs), as first-line pregnancy prevention for adolescents and young women. Yet, less than 5% of 15- to 19-year-old women using a method of contraception use LARC. Limited research explores young women's concerns about IUDs. METHODS: As part of a larger women's health research study, researchers conducted 53 in-depth interviews with women, aged 18 to 24 years enrolled in a midsized liberal arts college in the southeastern United States. Analytical techniques from the grounded theory approach were used to code line-by-line and identify themes emerging from these data. RESULTS: Fear of causing harm or infertility through IUD use emerged as a significant barrier to uptake. Negative and often unfounded beliefs about IUDs led to silence and limited observability of IUDs in daily life and health care contexts. Identity as a fertile woman emerged as an antecedent factor to the compatibility of IUDs with participants' values and beliefs. DISCUSSION: The link between fear of infertility and perceived identity was found to be a major factor in young women's contraceptive decision making. In order to increase uptake of IUDs, the beliefs of women must be addressed.
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