Evaluating the Acceptability and Feasibility of a Sexual Health–Focused Contraceptive Decision Aid for Diverse Young Adults: User-Centered Usability Study

BACKGROUND: Young adults with low sexual health literacy levels may find it difficult to make informed decisions about contraceptive methods. We developed and pilot-tested a web-based decision aid—Healthy Sex Choices—designed to support diverse young adults with their contraceptive decision-making. OBJECTIVE: This pilot study aimed to evaluate whether the Healthy Sex Choices decision aid is acceptable and feasible to patients and clinicians. METHODS: We used the Ottawa Decision Support Framework and the International Patient Decision Aid Standards to develop and pilot the decision tool. We first conducted a needs assessment with our advisory panel (5 clinicians and 2 patients) that informed decision aid development. All panelists participated in semistructured interviews about their experience with contraceptive counseling. Clinicians also completed a focus group session centered around the development of sex education content for the tool. Before commencing the pilot study, 5 participants from ResearchMatch (Vanderbilt University Medical Center) assessed the tool and suggested improvements. RESULTS: Participants were satisfied with the tool, rating the acceptability as “good.” Interviewees revealed that the tool made contraceptive decision-making easier and would recommend the tool to a family member or friend. Participants had a nonsignificant change in knowledge scores (53% before vs 45% after; P=.99). Overall, decisional conflict scores significantly decreased (16.1 before vs 2.8 after; P<.001) with the informed subscale (patients feeling more informed) having the greatest decline (23.1 vs 4.7; mean difference 19.0, SD 27.1). Subanalyses of contraceptive knowledge and decisional conflict illustrated that participants of color had lower knowledge scores (48% vs 55%) and higher decisional conflict (20.0 vs 14.5) at baseline than their white counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: Participants found Healthy Sex Choices to be acceptable and reported reduced decisional conflict after using the tool. The development and pilot phases of this study provided a foundation for creating reproductive health decision aids that acknowledge and provide guidance for diverse patient populations.