Anna Nichols
Pitzer College
Project
Informed Consent, Individual Choice, and the Factors Influencing Women's Contraceptive Decision Making
Norway, Portugal, Spain, South Africa
I plan to volunteer with reproductive health organizations and family planning clinics, interacting with and conducting in-depth interviews with health care providers and women seeking sexual health services. Norway, Portugal, Spain, and South Africa vary in the predominant birth control being used and in cultural attitudes toward sexual issues. The goal of my project is to explore the ways in which women make decisions about their reproductive health care. What motivates women in their choices regarding contraceptive methods? What is the role of the patient-provider relationship in contraceptive method selection? How does one's culture and community values influence their choice of contraception?