title: Preferences for a potential longer-acting injectable contraceptive: perspectives from women, providers, and policy makers in Kenya and Rwanda.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Between 1995 and 2005, injectable use doubled worldwide. However, discontinuation rates remain high, partly because of side effects but also because of missed appointments for reinjection. A longer-acting injectable (LAI) may improve compliance by reducing the required number of reinjection visits, thereby reducing unintentional discontinuation. This study examined acceptability of LAI characteristics comprising the target product profile (TPP).
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2012, we conducted qualitative case studies in Kenya and Rwanda, consisting of 19 focus group discussions (FGDs) with 177 current, previous, or never users of injectables and 46 in-depth interviews (IDIs) with providers, program implementers, and policy makers. FGDs and IDIs assessed current injectable experiences; attitudes toward potential LAI products; and perceptions of TPP attributes, including ranking preferences for the most and least important characteristics. In addition, we obtained completed electronic surveys from 28 international family planning opinion leaders about the perceived need for an LAI, important product characteristics, and challenges to LAI development or introduction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Many FGD participants and interviewees spontaneously expressed strong interest in an LAI, but there was some variation in TPP preferences. The majority of participants ranked effectiveness as the most important TPP attribute. Providers were generally more concerned about side effects than potential users; some potential users suggested that side effects were related less to the product than to their own body chemistry and that side effects were acceptable as long as they did not last a long time or disrupt daily activities. Women and providers, especially in Kenya, preferred a method with a predictable return to fertility. Some participants associated amenorrhea with delayed or reduced fertility. Most women and providers preferred delivery of the LAI in a single, prepackaged, disposable injection system to facilitate injections by providers and to reduce the risk of pain or discomfort for women. While providers and policy makers ranked cost as one of the most important issues, it was among the least important issues for most potential users. Many Kenyan, but few Rwandan, participants appeared willing to pay for an LAI, with some presuming cost savings from reduced menstruation and fewer clinic visits.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Some TPP preferences for an LAI have implications for product development decisions about formulation, delivery mechanism, or presentation, while others point to the need for tailored communication and counseling approaches to ensure acceptability and adherence within clinical trials and beyond.
authors.affiliation: FHI 360, Durham, NC , USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Tolley
authors.affiliation: FHI 360, Durham, NC , USA.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: McKenna
authors.affiliation: FHI 360, Nairobi , Kenya.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mackenzie
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Health, Maternal and Child Health Department , Kigali , Rwanda.
authors.forename: Fidele
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ngabo
authors.affiliation: FHI 360, Kigali , Rwanda.
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Munyambanza
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill, NC , USA.
authors.forename: Jennet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Arcara
authors.affiliation: FHI 360, Durham, NC , USA.
authors.forename: Kate H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Rademacher
authors.affiliation: FHI 360, Durham, NC , USA.
authors.forename: Anja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lendvay
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D003267:Contraception / Q000379:methods*; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D003906:Developing Countries; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007630:Kenya; D008875:Middle Aged; D009819:Office Visits; D012432:Rwanda; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female