A User-Centered Approach to Designing Non-Hormonal Contraceptive Solutions
Millions of women around the world lack access to optimal healthcare in varied forms, in countries such as Nigeria, Kenya and India, one of those ways is lack of adequate family planning and contraception methods. In Nigeria, less than 17% of married women aged 15 to 49 use modern forms of contraception, indicating the country's low contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR).
Client & Partner: gates foundation & catapult design
Location: lagos, kano, port harcourt, nigeria
Funded by the Gates Foundation (GF), in partnership with Catapult Design, our team sought to understand and address women’s needs and preferences for non-hormonal contraceptives. The study unearthed the needs and preferences of women and helped to inform the creation of prototypes of non-hormonal solutions based on women's needs, experiences and priorities.
Informed by preliminary desk research, our team, along with the partnering firm devised a 3 phase research plan which involved engaging with women across the country, first in one-on-one interviews and focus group discussions, then in testing of preliminary developed prototypes.
We engaged with over 500 participants across Nigeria, distributed throughout urban and peri-urban areas. Amongst these participants, we had Women of Reproductive Age who were selected based on the most vulnerable segments, ‘influencers’ such as partners/husbands, family members, friends, neighbors, ‘street sisters’, and ‘enablers’ which consisted of religious and community leaders, as well as healthcare providers.
User researchers in interview sessions with the women
Over multiple phases, our team of designers, user researchers and medical practitioners underwent in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and co-creation activities to identify the desires of women, and the trade-offs they have when it comes to contraceptives.
We studied the women’s decision-making journey across key moments that influenced their choice and use of contraceptives. We synthesized the data we gathered from the field and were able to draw out insights and meaningful findings.
Using 11 attributes most likely to drive demand for contraceptives and to give us an idea of their ideal contraceptive, our study reveals that the top 3 prioritized attributes of the women were Access - a contraceptive that is readily available, Efficacy - being risk-free and 100% effective and Side effects - with little to no side effects. Our findings along with the selected prototypes that consisted of popular attributes provided the Gates Foundation with actionable insights to guide future contraceptive development. The robust prototypes and synthesized learnings create a pathway for practical solutions that address women’s unmet needs.
Multiple product concepts tested with the women
Methods & Activities
Context inquiry
Stakeholder mapping
In-situ observation research
Community engagement sessions
Quantitative research
Prototyping
Stakeholder report building
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