Alignment of contraceptive method attribute preferences and use among Kenyan women living with HIV

Understanding alignment of contraceptive preferences and method selection among women living with HIV (WLWH) may improve contraceptive counseling. We examined whether method attribute preferences aligned with method attributes used among WLWH, and identified preference clusters.

We used baseline survey data from WLWH enrolled in a cluster randomized controlled trial of a reproductive health counseling intervention in Kenya. Women using eligible modern contraception at baseline were included (N = 2599). We used Poisson regression models to characterize 11 relationships between method attributes preferred vs. used, and principal component analysis (PCA) to identify preferences clusters.

Women who preferred methods that are long-acting (adjusted Prevalence Ratio [aPR]:1.63, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]:1.19-2.24), avoid daily dosing (aPR:1.11, 95% CI:1.07-1.16), permit self-discontinuation (aPR:1.32, 95% CI:1.14-1.52), and are concealable (aPR:1.06, 95% CI:1.01-1.12) were significantly more likely to use aligned methods. Attribute preferences clustered on three dimensions: (1) avoiding heavy bleeding, weight changes, libido changes, and non-hormonal; (2) long-acting, avoiding daily dosing, permitting self-discontinuation, and avoiding intermittent bleeding; and (3) concealability without an effectiveness preference. Immediate return to fertility was modeled independently due to lack of clustering. The first dimension was positively correlated with condom use and inversely with implant use. The second was also positively correlated with condom use, and use of both implants and tubal ligation, while inversely with injectable and oral contraceptive pill use. The third was correlated with injectable use.

Method attribute preferences do not always align with methods used and may cluster in ways that cannot be satisfied by existing methods.

Preferences for methods that are long-acting, avoid daily dosing, and permit self-discontinuation are widely held and related to method selection, but cannot be met by a single method when held in combination. Client-centered counseling that elicits relative strength of preferences and tailors guidance accordingly may help improve method satisfaction.