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Family planning providers' perspectives on dual protection
Joanne E Mantell1, Susie Hoffman, Theresa M Exner
1HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University, New York, USA. jmantell@cnvlz.com
Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health
|May 6, 2003
Summary
Family planning providers integrate STD prevention into counseling, viewing dual protection as key. Further training is needed to improve understanding and promotion of condoms for both STD and pregnancy prevention.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Family Planning
- Sexual Health
Background:
- Family planning providers are crucial for identifying HIV/STD risks and promoting prevention.
- Limited research exists on providers' perspectives regarding STD risk assessment, contraceptive counseling, and dual protection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate healthcare providers' attitudes towards STD risk assessment, contraceptive counseling, and dual protection strategies.
- To understand how providers balance concerns for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and unintended pregnancies.
Main Methods:
- Conducted semistructured interviews with 22 healthcare providers in New York City in 1998.
- Explored providers' views on STD/pregnancy risk assessment and contraceptive method use.
Main Results:
- STD prevention is considered integral to family planning counseling, with universal risk assessment favored.
- Dual protection is primarily viewed as condom use combined with other contraceptives; condoms alone are rarely advocated.
- The female condom is perceived as a last resort, with limited provider understanding of its effectiveness and counseling methods.
Conclusions:
- Targeted training is essential to address negative perceptions of the female condom and enhance counseling skills.
- Further research is needed to promote male and female condoms as effective contraceptive and STD prevention methods.