LARC STUDY: Feedback

My research focused on how women come to use long-acting reversible contraception known as LARC (IUD/intra uterine device, implant or the injection). I was interested in finding out more about the decision to use LARCs or not as well as the experiences of those who are using them or used them in the past. I conducted one-on-one interviews with 37 volunteers across the lower North Island during 2019, with woman older than 16 from a range of cultural, religious, and ethnic backgrounds. See below for a comprehensive overview of who took part.

The deep and rich information from interviews is useful for gauging patients' experiences and views of healthcare they receive. This was the main reason for conducting this research: to understand what contraceptive care in New Zealand is like, and especially how decisions about whether to use a LARC and what kind are made and supported. The information can also be related to findings from similar studies elsewhere, and I refer to these in this report as I discuss the preliminary findings. Findings may also inform future research, including surveys and other large-scale studies, to investigate some of the emerging issues. It is not possible, however, to make generalisations to all women in New Zealand from a study with a participant group of this size.