Journal article
Community Perspectives on Contraception in the Context of the Zika Virus in the U.S. Virgin Islands: Implications for Communication and Messaging
Women's health issues, Vol.29(3), pp.245-251
05/01/2019
DOI: 10.1016/j.whi.2019.01.007
PMCID: PMC6707511
PMID: 30878263
Abstract
Between January and October 2016, 575 symptomatic confirmed cases of Zika virus infection were reported in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI). Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause serious birth defects. Preventing unintended pregnancy among women who choose to delay or avoid pregnancy is a primary strategy to reduce these adverse outcomes.
A rapid assessment, using one men's and five women's focus groups (N = 43), was conducted to inform communication efforts to increase awareness of contraception as a means for preventing unintended pregnancy in the context of a Zika outbreak in the USVI.
Findings showed that people of reproductive age were aware of the relationship between Zika virus infection during pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes. However, when discussing methods for prevention, participants did not include preventing unintended pregnancy as a strategy to reduce these adverse outcomes. When asked about family planning in the USVI, participants discussed that, for some, planning pregnancies is not common. Participants wanted communications about contraception to include available methods, side effects, costs, and safety. Optimal communication channels included social media and local spokespersons. Participants identified health care providers as a trusted information source.
Findings from this assessment informed the design of a culturally appropriate communication strategy to raise awareness of the prevention of unintended pregnancy as a primary strategy to reduce Zika-related adverse birth outcomes in the USVI.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Community Perspectives on Contraception in the Context of the Zika Virus in the U.S. Virgin Islands: Implications for Communication and Messaging
- Creators
- Anna W. Brittain - National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health PromotionEuna M. August - National Center for HIV/AIDS Viral Hepatitis STD and TB PreventionLisa Romero - National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health PromotionMargaret Sheahan - United States Virgin Islands Department of HealthJamie Krashin - National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health PromotionCharity Ntansah - Karna, LLC, Atlanta, GeorgiaMargaret A. Honein - Centers for Disease Control and PreventionDenise J. Jamieson - National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health PromotionEsther M. Ellis - United States Virgin Islands Department of HealthMichelle S. Davis - United States Virgin Islands Department of HealthEva Lathrop - Center for Global Health
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Women's health issues, Vol.29(3), pp.245-251
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.whi.2019.01.007
- PMID
- 30878263
- PMCID
- PMC6707511
- NLM abbreviation
- Womens Health Issues
- ISSN
- 1049-3867
- eISSN
- 1878-4321
- Publisher
- Elsevier Inc
- Grant note
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (https://doi.org/10.13039/100000030)
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 05/01/2019
- Academic Unit
- Obstetrics and Gynecology; VPMA - Administration
- Record Identifier
- 9984446262202771
Metrics
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