Snapshot

COUCH Health partnered with a biopharma company to gain insights into healthcare professional (HCP) and consumer perspectives and barriers towards a self-injectable birth control in low- and middle-income countries.

The insights generated through in-depth interviews, along with COUCH Health’s recommendations for key considerations and actionable solutions, were used to inform a new implementation strategy for a self-injectable contraceptive.

Problem

Cultural norms and religious beliefs in Nigeria, India, and Pakistan may heavily influence the accessibility and acceptance of contraceptive methods, including self-injectable contraceptives.

Fear, pain, and side effects associated with self-injection, coupled with a lack of education among HCPs on specific training techniques, hinder the uptake and prescription of this method.

214 million people able to become pregnant of reproductive age in developing countries who want to avoid pregnancy are not using a modern contraceptive method

Strategy

COUCH Health conducted in-depth interviews across India, Nigeria, and Pakistan with:

• HCPs experienced in family planning services and general practice
• People with a consumer perspective

From the research insights obtained, we:

• Developed a country-specific case study and journey map for both HCP and consumer profiles
• Identified key themes, barriers and considerations
• Provided actionable solutions for the implementation strategy for a self-injectable contraceptive

Results

21 interviews conducted – 6 HCPs and 15 consumers

There was diverse representation among participants:

• Exposure across private and public sectors
• Living in rural and urban areas
• Differing socio-economic backgrounds
• Reflecting various relationship statuses
• Large age range

Any form of contraceptive usage

• 26% previously taken
• 60% currently on
• 14% never taken
• 26% had previously used a self-injectable method of contraception

Based on the insights gathered, COUCH Health provided recommendations on key themes:

Consumer education:

• Culturally appropriate
• Targetting all genders, including those taking the injectable contraceptive and partners
• Focus on myth-busting
• Training on how to use the injectable
• Printed handouts

Outreach strategies for:

• Rural areas
• Communities with high levels of deprivation

Advertising on:

• The availability of free contraception
• Locations of contraceptive services
• Addressing common concerns and misconceptions about side effects
• Emphasising the importance of consumer-HCP-shared decision making

HCP education:

• To enhance confidence and competence in
  • Prescribing
  • Training consumers
• Video tutorials

These insights and recommendations were used to inform the implementation strategy for a self-injectable contraceptive.

Download the case study here >