Factors influencing individual decision-making in contraceptive method selection: a comprehensive analysis.
- 1School of Nursing and Rehabilitation, Nantong University, No.19 Qixiu Road, Nantong City, Jiangsu Province, China.
- 2School of Nursing and Rehabilitation, Nantong University, No.19 Qixiu Road, Nantong City, Jiangsu Province, China. [email protected].
Abstract
Background
Contraceptive methods vary in effectiveness, side effects, cost, and other characteristics that influence individuals' preferences. Understanding these preferences is essential for supporting patient-centered care and improving contraceptive decision-making. However, there remains a lack of comprehensive synthesis of the key attributes driving contraceptive choices across diverse populations.Objective
The aim of this systematic review was to identify the key attributes that are most important to individuals when selecting a contraceptive method.Methods
This review follows the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and includes studies published between 2000 and 2024. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science databases. Studies that employed Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE), conjoint experiments, surveys, or structured interviews to assess contraceptive preferences were included.Results
A total of 22 studies were included in the final analysis, encompassing 53,730 participants. We identified 44 distinct attributes related to contraceptive choice, which were grouped into eight categories: effectiveness and safety, convenience and suitability, economy and cost, social and interpersonal relationships, privacy and control, information and advice, lifestyle and behavior, and services and support. Among the most frequently assessed attributes were effectiveness, side effects, cost, convenience, safety, and privacy. Effectiveness and safety were consistently rated as the most important factors in contraceptive choice, followed by cost and privacy considerations. Variations were observed in preferences across regions, with cost being a primary concern in the United States and privacy being particularly important in African countries.Conclusion
This review identifies several key attributes associated with contraceptive choice, with consistent emphasis on effectiveness, safety, cost, and privacy. These findings may provide reference points for contraceptive counseling and the development of decision-support tools. However, further research is needed to better understand socio-cultural and emotional determinants of contraceptive decision-making, as well as the temporal dynamics of preference formation across life stages.
Related
- Beyond the Patient: Healthcare Providers’ Insights on Partner Engagement in Contraceptive Decision-Making
- Exploring male involvement and support in long-acting reversible contraceptive decision-making: a mixed-methods cross-sectional study in Kampala, Uganda.
- Women’s fertility awareness and decision making around perceived or estimated post-ovulation emergency contraceptive use: a narrative review
- Beyond women’s burden: integrating male partners into contraceptive decision-making
- Co-design of a digital health intervention to provide pharmacy-based, person-centered contraceptive decision support for youth in Kenya
BibTeX
@article{cao2026factors,
title = {{Factors influencing individual decision-making in contraceptive method selection: a comprehensive analysis.}},
author = {Zhiqiu Cao and Juan Li and Li Sun and Zhanhong Fan and Akinyemi Lydia Idowu and Ziyi Yang and Feng Zhang},
journal = {Contraception and reproductive medicine},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1186/s40834-026-00469-5},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42972421},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Factors influencing individual decision-making in contraceptive method selection: a comprehensive analysis.
AU - Zhiqiu Cao
AU - Juan Li
AU - Li Sun
AU - Zhanhong Fan
AU - Akinyemi Lydia Idowu
AU - Ziyi Yang
AU - Feng Zhang
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/03
JO - Contraception and reproductive medicine
DO - 10.1186/s40834-026-00469-5
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42972421
AB - Background Contraceptive methods vary in effectiveness, side effects, cost, and other characteristics that influence individuals' preferences. Understanding these preferences is essential for supporting patient-centered care and improving contraceptive decision-making. However, there remains a lack of comprehensive synthesis of the key attributes driving contraceptive choices across diverse populations.Objective The aim of this systematic review was to identify the key attributes that are most important to individuals when selecting a contraceptive method.Methods This review follows the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and includes studies published between 2000 and 2024. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science databases. Studies that employed Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE), conjoint experiments, surveys, or structured interviews to assess contraceptive preferences were included.Results A total of 22 studies were included in the final analysis, encompassing 53,730 participants. We identified 44 distinct attributes related to contraceptive choice, which were grouped into eight categories: effectiveness and safety, convenience and suitability, economy and cost, social and interpersonal relationships, privacy and control, information and advice, lifestyle and behavior, and services and support. Among the most frequently assessed attributes were effectiveness, side effects, cost, convenience, safety, and privacy. Effectiveness and safety were consistently rated as the most important factors in contraceptive choice, followed by cost and privacy considerations. Variations were observed in preferences across regions, with cost being a primary concern in the United States and privacy being particularly important in African countries.Conclusion This review identifies several key attributes associated with contraceptive choice, with consistent emphasis on effectiveness, safety, cost, and privacy. These findings may provide reference points for contraceptive counseling and the development of decision-support tools. However, further research is needed to better understand socio-cultural and emotional determinants of contraceptive decision-making, as well as the temporal dynamics of preference formation across life stages.
SN - 2055-7426
ER -