title: Communicating contraceptive effectiveness: A randomized controlled trial to inform a World Health Organization family planning handbook.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the study was to compare 3 different approaches for increasing clients' understanding of contraceptive effectiveness.
  
  
  METHODS
  We randomized 900 reproductive-age women in India and Jamaica to 1 of 3 charts presenting pregnancy risk.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most important reason for choosing a contraceptive was how well it prevents pregnancy (54%) followed by few side effects (17%). At baseline, knowledge about contraceptive effectiveness was poor. About half knew oral contraceptive pills are more effective than condoms (46%) and intrauterine devices are more effective than injectables (50%). All 3 charts improved knowledge significantly (P < .01) for these 2 questions. No chart improved knowledge better than any other (P > .05). The chart ranking contraceptive methods on a continuum was judged slightly easier to understand than the other 2 charts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Only with accurate understanding of pregnancy risk can clients make informed choices. Our results have already informed a global handbook for family planning providers to use the chart ranking contraceptive methods on a continuum.
authors.affiliation: Family Health International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA. msteiner@fhi.org
authors.forename: Markus J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Steiner
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Trussell
authors.forename: Neha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.forename: Sean
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Condon
authors.forename: Sumathi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Subramaniam
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bourne
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003142:Communication; D003268:Contraception Behavior; D003376:Counseling; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007563:Jamaica; D018570:Risk Assessment; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D013664:Teaching Materials; D014944:World Health Organization