[A Brazilian survey on the acceptance of the weekly transdermal patch: structured questionnaire to access the perceptions of gynecologists and users of the PATCH program]

An evaluation of the weekly transdermal contraceptive patch acceptance by users and gynecologists was conducted through structured interviews. Sixty-five users of the weekly transdermal contraceptive patch were submitted to a phone call structured interview through the Computer Aided Telephonic Interviewing (CATI) of the Latin America Research Center (LARC). Two hundred and seventy gynecologists from all Brazilian geographic regions were also interviewed by the same system. A considerable percentage of contraceptive methods users (65%) changes methods mainly due to their side effects. The reason for the contraceptive patch choice was predominantly its convenience and simple dosing (89%). Users satisfaction concerning the patch was positive in many of the evaluated parameters especially in the lowering of "side effects" (92.3%) "gastrointestinal effects" (98.5%) and "weight gain" (95.4%). The main driver for contraceptive prescription (most of the gynecologists [85.9%] have their practice in private clinics) is "not generate too much side effects" (27%). Physicians perceptions about the patch are that it is "very different" (49.6 %) "very new" (48.5%) "better than oral contraceptives" (51.9%) and "better than other non-oral contraceptives" (47.4%). For these accessed groups womens contraceptive choice is based on gynecologists advice. Relevant drivers of choice are among others convenience dosing simplicity and low side effects profile. Observed satisfaction with the patch came through an improvement in contraceptive use associated parameters like acne Pre Menstrual Symptoms and gastrointestinal side effects. Considering gynecologists 41.7% are used to prescribe the patch. Most of them evaluated the patch as "very different" "very new" and "better than oral and other non-oral contraceptives". (authors modified)