Three of these surveys were conducted in the last twelve months alone and more are currently being conducted or are in the planning stages. So far, the results point to misperceptions, misinformation, and a general lack of knowledge among women about contraception. One answer is that many health organizations, including ARHP, want to be sure women in the U.S. have the information they need to make informed contraceptive decisions.
Women benefit from accurate information .
Health care providers talk to women every day who need accurate information about contraception to plan families, finish school, improve their health, and take advantage of other contraceptive benefits. Medical organizations, foundations, agencies, and pharmaceutical companies are steadily conducting surveys to help women in the U.S. learn more about contraception, including little-known health benefits. Of course, scientists and researchers have spent a lot of time and energy investigating questions about contraceptive efficacy, modes of action, health benefits, and safety, among others. Meanwhile, in a world very different from university, public health, and industry research laboratories, women have their own cultural biases, questions, and individual perceptions about contraception. Understanding these perceptions is essential to designing effective education programs that can help women learn more about the health benefits of contraception.