How Do We Measure Contraceptive Method Preferences? Evidence From a Scoping Review

Despite the growing interest in person-centered measures for family planning and the importance of reproductive preferences, little is known about the measurement of contraceptive preferences. Population surveys have implicitly assumed that contracepting people have achieved their method of choice. In this scoping review, we explored how contraceptive method preferences have been defined and measured in different settings. We included 55 articles focused on measuring people's preferred method of contraception or preferred attributes of contraception. Thirty-seven articles were conducted in high-income countries (HIC), five in upper-middle-income countries (UMIC), and thirteen in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Sixteen articles measured preferences for specific methods of contraception, 36 measured the preferred attributes of contraceptive methods, and three implemented both approaches. Four articles used consistent language to measure the preferred method of contraception, although many used synonyms of "preferences," and some constrained their questions to method availability or cost. The measurement of preferred attributes of contraception varied across articles, even within similar contexts and populations. Key attributes included side effects, effectiveness, and cost. Our results highlight the increasing interest in understanding contraceptive preferences, but gaps remain in developing best practices. This is critical as the family planning field moves toward person-centered metrics that emphasize individual choice.