Fig 3. Key study themes drawing on the protection motivation theory (PMT).

This is an adapted framework of the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT; R.W Rogers 1975). Components of the PMT are represented in the top row of the figure. Briefly, the PMT suggests that environmental and interpersonal sources of information initiate two appraisal processes: threat and coping. The threat appraisal focuses on how an individual’s perceived severity of a problem or their sense of vulnerability heightens adaptive or maladaptive behaviour. The coping appraisal focus on response efficacy (knowing that the intervention works) as well as self-efficacy (that an individual is capable of performing the recommended behaviour). In addition to the coping appraisal is the cost/trade-offs of the adaptive behaviour. Key themes and findings from the data are presented in the two lower rows of the figure. For vaginal ring and oral tablets attributes and preferences, (+) indicates positive attributes and (-) negative attributes, respectively.