title: Impact of structured counseling on the selection of hormonal contraceptive methods: results of a multi-centric, observational study in India.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the influence of "structured contraception counseling" on Indian women's selection of contraceptive methods.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women (≥18 and ≤40 years) requesting contraception were enrolled at 36 sites. "Structured contraception counseling" was provided by a health care professional on the available contraceptive methods. Questionnaires on the women's pre- and post-counseling contraceptive choice, her perceptions, and the reasons behind her post-counseling decision were filled.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant reductions were observed in the proportion of women who were indecisive (n = 260; 31.5 % pre-counseling vs. n = 30; 3.6 %, post-counseling [P < 0.001]) and women opting for non-hormonal method (24.6 % pre-counseling vs. 6.8 % post-counseling, [P < 0.001]). Of all the women counseled (n = 825), 89.6 % (739/825) of women chose a hormonal contraceptive method. There were significant difference (P < 0.001) in the women's choice of contraceptive in the pre- and post-counseling sessions, respectively (combined oral contraceptive: 30.8 vs. 40.7 %; vaginal ring: 1.8 vs. 14.1 %; progestogen only pills: 1.6 vs. 7.9 %; injectable-depot medroxyprogesterone acetate: 5.9 vs. 13.6 %; levonorgestrel-intrauterine system: 3.8 vs. 13.3 %).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Structured contraception counseling using standardized protocol and aids resulted in a significant increase in the selection of modern contraceptive methods. Post-counseling majority of women opted for hormonal methods with an increase in selection of pills and newer alternatives.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Breach Candy Hospital, 60 A, Bhulabhai Desai Road, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400026 India.
authors.forename: Nozer
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sheriar
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Monilek Hospital and Research Center, Sector 4, Jawahar Nagar, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302004 India.
authors.forename: Ritu
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Joshi
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Calcutta Medical Research Institute, 7/2, Diamond Harbour Road, Alipore, Kolkata, West Bengal 700027 India.
authors.forename: Basab
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mukherjee
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Apollo Gleneagles Hospital, 58, Canal Circular Road, Kolkata, West Bengal 700054 India.
authors.forename: Bhaskar
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pal
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Affairs, Organon (India) Private Limited, A Subsidiary of Merck & Co. Inc.,Whitehouse Station, NJ, USA, Platina Building, 8th Floor, C-59, G-Block, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra (East), Mumbai, 400098 India.
authors.forename: Ashish
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Birla
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Affairs, Organon (India) Private Limited, A Subsidiary of Merck & Co. Inc.,Whitehouse Station, NJ, USA, Platina Building, 8th Floor, C-59, G-Block, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra (East), Mumbai, 400098 India.
authors.forename: Subrat K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Ray
keywords: Counseling; Hormonal contraceptive; India; Questionnaire