A Multidimensional Approach to Family Planning Needs

Jane Harries of the University of Cape Town in South Africa will take a multisensory approach to increase the use of contraception, particularly over the long term, across South Africa. By exploring how different contraceptives are perceived via multiple senses, not only visual perceptions but also how they feel, and how their use impacts the daily life of the woman, and her wider network, they hope to identify new barriers that influence uptake. They will present a range of contraceptives to 150 women and 50 men, and encourage them to take photographs and make drawings as a way to explore their different perspectives on the contraceptives and on family planning in general. Group discussions and individual interviews will also be held to further evaluate how people react to the contraceptives, and how they affect their lives.