title: Consumer perspectives on a pericoital contraceptive pill in India and Uganda.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studies suggest that women in some countries have adopted emergency contraceptive pills as a routine method of family planning. This practice indicates there may be latent demand for a pericoital contraceptive pill taken only when a woman has sexual intercourse, and labeled and marketed for use as a regular contraceptive method.
  
  
  METHODS
  To understand the appeal and potential market for a pericoital contraceptive pill, 39 focus groups and 23 in-depth interviews were conducted with women and men in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India, and Kampala, Uganda. A total of 281 individuals participated in this qualitative study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In general, women embraced the idea of a female-controlled method that would be easier than taking a daily oral contraceptive pill and that could be taken either before or after sexual intercourse; in Uganda, especially, women approved of the fact that the method could be taken without a partner's knowledge. Although we do not yet know the extent of side effects for this method, women expressed some concerns about the level and nature of potential side effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that a pericoital contraceptive pill would be well-received by consumers in both country settings. If its efficacy and side effects are acceptable, a pericoital contraceptive pill could fill a gap for female-controlled, discreet, coitus-related contraception, particularly among women who do not have sex very frequently.
authors.affiliation: Program Officer, PATH, Seattle, WA, USA, jcover@path.org.
authors.forename: Jane K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Cover
authors.forename: Jennifer Kidwell
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Drake
authors.forename: Imelda T
authors.initials: IT
authors.lastname: Kyamwanga
authors.forename: Eleanor
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Turyakira
authors.forename: Tanya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dargan
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kumakech
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Harner-Jay
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003258:Consumer Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003281:Contraceptives, Postcoital / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012747:Sexual Partners; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013607:Tablets; D014454:Uganda; D016387:Women's Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003281:Contraceptives, Postcoital; D013607:Tablets