New Research Demonstrates the Challenge of Communicating Risks -- October
21, 2003

Research Triangle Park, NC -- New research from Family Health International
and Princeton University in New Jersey shows that communicating risks --
such as the risks of pregnancy associated with contraceptives -- to women
can be a big challenge. With so many medical choices available in the United
States, it is important that women fully understand the risks of their
options so that they can make the most informed decisions about their
health. In this randomized controlled trial, 461 U.S. women viewed
information on the pregnancy risks associated with different contraceptives
in one of three ways: as numbers, showing effectiveness rates for each
contraceptive method; as categories of effectiveness (i.e., more effective,
effective, less effective) for different methods; or as numbers and
categories. Results suggest that women do not accurately understand their
risks when they are shown only numbers, and they still have some trouble
when the information is presented in other ways. To read more about this
study, published in the October 2003 issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology, see
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ui
ds=14551000&dopt=Abstract
<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_u
ids=14551000&dopt=Abstract> . For further information, contact [log in to unmask]
<mailto:[log in to unmask]> .


Source

Steiner MJ, Dalebout S, Condon S, Dominik R, Trussell J. Understanding risk:
a randomized controlled trial of communicating contraceptive effectiveness.
Obstet Gynecol 2003;102(4):709-17.


Family Health International is dedicated to improving lives, knowledge, and
understanding worldwide through a highly diversified program of research,
education, and services in family health and HIV/AIDS prevention and care.
Since our inception in 1971, FHI has formed partnerships with national
governments and local communities in countries throughout the developing
world to support lasting improvements in the health of individuals and the
effectiveness of entire health systems.


David Hock
Senior Information Projects Coordinator
Family Health International
e-mail: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>

To unsubscribe from CANCHID send: unsubscribe CANCHID to: [log in to unmask]  -  for help see http://listserv.yorku.ca