rtant to the women who will use NORPLANT are, at times, glossed over by researchers as being trivial. Within this context, the risk that an implant will cause some physical disfigurement is viewed as remote by most researchers (Kalmuss, Davidson, Cushman, Heartwell, & Rulin, 1996). What is important within the context of this issue, however, is how such a risk is perceived by the women who are expected to use the NORPLANT method. It really does not matter what the validity of such a risk is, as long as the perception of that risk causes a woman to opt against the use of the NORPLANT method of contraception.
A research study is proposed that would replicate the Darney, Atkinson, Tanner, MacPherson, Hellerstein, and Alvarado (1990) study with some modifications. The principal modifications would be the use of a structured, directional data collection instrument, together with the inclusion of questionnaire items dealing specifically with issues that were not addressed in the findings of the Darney, Atkinson, Tanner, MacPherson, Hellerstein, and Alvarado (1990) study.
Acceptance and Perceptions of NORPLANT
Tu, Qiu, Fang, and Smith (1997) conducted a comprehensive analysis of the acceptability, side effects, and efficacy of NORPLANT as used in rural areas, based on a field experiment conducted in four counties in Nebei and Shandong Provinces, China. The initial acceptance of NORPLANT was relatively high but waned after the first year in three of the four counties. Compared with clinical trials, the study found a lower prevalence but similar patterns of side effects. The pregnancy rate during the first two years of use was similar to that found in largeùscale clinical trials conducted throughout China; however, discontinuation of the use of NORPLANT for other reasons was lower. A three-level logistic regression analysis found significant variation in the probability of discontinuation as a consequence of side effects.
H...