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Women's Reproductive Health

Understanding Contraceptive Failure: An Analysis of Qualitative Narratives

Authors

Lori F. Frohwirth Jennifer Mueller, Guttmacher Institute Ragnar Anderson Patrice Williams Shivani Kochhar Kate Castle Megan L. Kavanaugh, Guttmacher Institute

Most American women wanting to avoid pregnancy use contraception, yet contraceptive failures are common. Guided by the Health Belief Model (HBM), we conducted a secondary qualitative analysis of interviews with women who described experiencing a contraceptive failure (n = 69) to examine why and how this outcome occurs. We found three primary drivers of contraceptive failures (health literacy and beliefs, partners and relationships, and structural barriers), and we identified pathways through which these drivers led to contraceptive failures that resulted in pregnancy. These findings have implications for how individuals can be better supported to select their preferred contraception during clinical contraceptive discussions.

First published on Women's Reproductive Health: July 21, 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/23293691.2022.2090304
Source / Available for Purchase
Full article available at Women's Reproductive Health

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Topic

United States

  • Contraception
  • Pregnancy: Unintended Pregnancy

Geography

  • Northern America: United States

Tags

birth control
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