This blog is part of a series in partnership with Population Council, Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition (RHSC), and Population Services International (PSI), to recognize World Contraception Day. From product development to utilization and beyond, we power contraceptive choices that meet the needs of women and girls worldwide.
Contraceptive products can only have meaningful impact if their characteristics and attributes match what users desire and demand. Individuals’ preferences for contraceptives and multipurpose prevention technologies vary widely, which highlights the importance of creating a range of sexual and reproductive health products which can enhance choice. Engagement with potential users of new contraceptive products at key stages of development (initial design, preclinical, clinical, and during and after introduction) is critically important to develop products that people will want and be excited to use.
The World Health Organization’s Good Participatory Practice guidelines provide a framework for product developers to effectively and ethically seek end-user input on product characteristics, clinical trial design, and post-marketing research. This engagement can help ensure transparency throughout product development and foster a supportive environment for product introduction.
At the Population Council’s Center for Biomedical Research (a nonprofit product development partnership), we are engaging potential users at various stages of product development to maximize our products’ future impact. Using an end-to-end approach, our work begins with developing target product profiles that define product attributes to guide our formulation, preclinical, and clinical development work. These target attributes are based on end-user demands, feedback from stakeholders, and extensive socio-behavioral research.
For instance, we recently conducted in-depth interviews and a nationally representative survey among women in the United States about a non-hormonal vaginal ring to prevent pregnancy, HIV, and other sexually transmitted infections. We found strong interest in a non-hormonal product, especially one that could offer multiple protection benefits. Women provided input about the color of the vaginal ring and other product attributes that could make the ring more appealing. Further, in consultation with local community advisory boards, we are developing studies where women will be able to try vaginal rings of different stiffness/flexibility in clinic and at home to inform product design. Working with women early on is giving us important insight on what to prioritize in the product design and implementation.
On the other end of the product development spectrum, we are assessing the acceptability of an already-marketed contraceptive vaginal ring in new geographic contexts. Together with partners, we are conducting a mixed methods study in Kenya and Zimbabwe to better understand the acceptability of Annovera® among women seeking contraception. This project includes a clinical trial comparing contraceptive uptake, continuation, and satisfaction between those who choose to try Annovera® versus contraceptive injections or oral pills, as well as a qualitative study that will assess various elements related to Annovera® acceptability among women, their sexual partners, and their healthcare providers.
Approaches to contraceptive development that prioritize the voices of end-users can help meet diverse needs and desires for new contraceptives globally. Above, we showcased two examples of our end-user research among women. However, as new products are developed, including novel methods of male contraception, there is an urgent need to do this among men and other gender diverse groups.
As our modern world continues to shift and evolve, so do individual preferences for new contraceptive methods. People are looking for products with fewer side effects, novel modes of administration, products with combined benefits to protect against sexually transmitted infections, and more options tailored to the specific needs of gender and sexual minorities. An array of contraceptive methods is needed for individuals to have bodily autonomy and allow for safe and satisfying sex lives. By working with individuals at multiple stages of product development, we gain valuable insight into what product characteristics are most valuable and appealing so that we can best meet the needs of women, men, and their communities worldwide.
