SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “CONTRACEPTIVES”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 523 records · Page 29Linked to original sources

PubMed1995

Contraception in the adolescent patient.

Having presented an overview of the available methods of contraception, the authors present one approach to prescribing contraceptives based on their experience. First, adolescent patients in our practice are discouraged from engaging in sexual intercourse. Abstinence is the only fail-safe method of contraception and provides benefits both emotionally and physically (i.e., prevention from sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies). If the adolescent plans to be sexually active, however, she is encouraged to select some form of hormonal contraception, namely Norplant, Depo-Provera, or oral contraceptives, in conjunction with condoms. The authors have had little success recommending barrier methods alone. Condoms are used sporadically and the diaphragm is very awkward for adolescents who are still uncomfortable with their bodies and with touching themselves. Of the three hormonal methods, Depo-Provera seems to be well-accepted by our patients. It offers several advantages that we believe make it attractive. First, it does not require any forethought by the patient other than coming in for the injection every 3 months. There is an effective grace period, so the patient is afforded good contraception even if she is up to a month late for her injection. The frequent visits for injections actually can be looked upon as positive, frequent contacts with the patient and can provide opportunities for counseling. In addition, some patients become amenorrheic, which teens view as an advantage, increasing compliance. If it is not likely that a patient will be compliant with every-3-month injections, Norplant is recommended. Studies have shown good acceptance of Norplant by adolescents and that has been the experience of the authors. With appropriate counseling prior to insertion and a counseling session with patients who request removal, the number of actual Norplant removals has been limited. If Depo-Provera and Norplant are not acceptable to the patient, then oral contraceptives are recommended. Of the three methods, more opportunities for failure exist with oral contraceptives. Pills are missed for a variety of reasons, including going away for the weekend; not having a regular schedule, which can interrupt pill-taking; and even ambivalence about becoming pregnant. One recent study demonstrated certain patient characteristics that were associated with good compliance with oral contraceptives, including white race, higher education level, suburban residence, and older age of both the patient and her mate. Keeping these characteristics in mind may be helpful when prescribing oral contraceptives. Of course, it is the patient's prerogative to choose the type of contraception she feels will be best suited for her.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Predictors of contraception knowledge and use among postpartum adolescents in El Salvador.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to describe demographics and contraceptive familiarity and use among postpartum adolescents in El Salvador. STUDY DESIGN: Questionnaire-guided interviews were conducted in Spanish with 50 postpartum adolescents at an urban, public hospital in El Salvador. Open-ended questions included assessments of education, partnership status, and contraceptive knowledge and use patterns. RESULTS: The median age of subjects was 17 years, 84% were nulliparous, 80% had partners, and 6% were married. Eighty-four percent of the women reported contraception knowledge and 18% reported contraception use. Educational experience and literacy predicted contraceptive knowledge (P = .008 and .001, respectively), but not use. After delivery and postpartum contraception education, 58% of the subjects stated intention to use contraception. Having a partner and living with him were predictors of intent to use contraception (P = .001 and .002, respectively). Being single negatively predicted intention to use contraception (P = .001). CONCLUSION: Education and literacy predicted contraceptive knowledge; however, contraceptive knowledge did not predict contraceptive use. Adolescent contraception use depends on more than just contraceptive knowledge.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Effects of a community-based sex education and reproductive health service program on contraceptive use of unmarried youths in Shanghai.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a youth-friendly intervention in promoting one safe sex behavior-contraception and condom use among unmarried young people aged 15-24 years in Shanghai, China. METHODS: The study was conducted in two towns of a suburban area of Shanghai (one as the intervention and the other as the control), with comparable socio-cultural-economic and demographic characteristics. The intervention intended to build awareness and offer counseling and services related to sexuality and reproduction among unmarried youths, in addition to the routine program activities, which were exclusively provided in the control site. Baseline surveys were conducted in both sites before the implementation of the intervention, and similar surveys were conducted in both sites 20 months after the intervention had been initiated to test the feasibility and effectiveness of the intervention. In total, 1220 unmarried young people from the intervention site and 1007 from the control site, including 1304 out-of-school youths and 923 high school students, were recruited, and about 92% of them were successfully followed up. Four main measures were examined (i.e., ever contraceptive use, current regular contraceptive use, ever condom use, and contraceptive use at onset of sexual intercourse-if it occurred during the course of the intervention). The reasons for nonuse of contraceptives, the status of joint decision on contraception and the first method used were also assessed. Data were analyzed using Logistic regression models with dichotomous measures of contraceptive use and Generalized Estimating Equations (GEEs) with repeated measures. RESULTS: At baseline, there was no statistical difference in contraceptive use between the intervention and control groups. After intervention, the proportions reporting regular contraceptive use and condom use in the intervention group were much higher than that in the control group (p <.001). A group x time interaction effect (p <.0001) was found for regular contraceptive use and ever condom use. Logistic regression analysis with dichotomous measures of contraceptive use and GEEs with repeated measures showed similar results. The regular contraceptive use and ever condom use were correlated with subject's occupation and family economic status, respectively. After adjusting for demographic factors, the subjects from the intervention group were 14.58 (OR) times as likely to use contraceptives at onset of intercourse as those from the control group (95%CI: 8.55-24.87, p <.0001). Similar results were found for both females and males. CONCLUSIONS: A multifaceted intervention program that provided information and skills, as well as counseling and services, appears to have positive influences on contraceptive practice and condom use among unmarried young females and males in suburban Shanghai.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Potential factors associated with contraceptive intention among adolescent males in Taiwan.

This study explored the predictors of contraceptive intention in adolescent males in Taiwan. It used a cross-sectional design and a sample of 1,000 vocational high school male students to determine the potential factors associated with contraceptive intention. Data were collected on an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire, including personal background variables, prior sexual experience, contraceptive knowledge, contraceptive attitude, contraceptive self-efficacy, perception of peers' contraceptive behavior, perception of support from significant others, and parental-adolescent communication about contraception. A total of 230 participants (23%) had prior sexual experience, 13% (30) of whom reported being involved in their girlfriends' pregnancies. Of the participants, 45% recognized the use of condoms as the most favorable contraceptive method for future sexual intercourse. Second to condom use, the combination of the calendar method and condom use was also popular (13.1%). Multiple stepwise regression indicated that better contraceptive attitudes, higher contraceptive self-efficacy, no prior sexual experience, more perception of peers' contraceptive behavior, and higher perception of support from significant others were predictors of higher contraceptive intention. The above predicting factors explained 31.9% of the total variance for contraceptive intention among adolescents. These results provide health professionals with important information to understand the reality adolescents encounter and to design effective contraceptive programs for male adolescents.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Contraceptive health risks--women's perceptions.

The aim was to study women's concerns about health risks associated with contraceptives, in particular oral contraceptives and intrauterine devices (IUDs), and to investigate what factors are related to these concerns. A questionnaire was sent to a random sample of 3000 women aged 18-44 years in Finland in 1994. After two reminders, the response rate was 74% (n = 2189). Logistical models were used to examine factors that were related to concerns over oral contraceptives and IUDs. Half (n = 1096) of the respondents had at some time been concerned about the risks of contraceptives. Most concerns (71%) were related to oral contraceptives. Cardiovascular effects, cancer, infertility, mood changes and weight gain were the most commonly specified risks related to oral contraceptives, and infections, effects on menstruation and ectopic pregnancy were most mentioned regarding IUDs. Concerns about oral contraceptives were related to higher education [odds ratio (OR) 1.75; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.38-2.21], past experience with the method (OR 1.81; 95% CI 1.45-2.26) and to a good knowledge about contraception and fertility (OR 1.68; 95% CI 1.29-2.19). Concern over IUD risks were most strongly related to past use of the method (OR 3.11; 95% CI 2.24-4.32) and higher age (35-44 years old, OR 2.99; 95% CI 1.52-5.87). Unlike women concerned about the risks of oral contraceptives, women with concerns about IUDs had had abortions more often than other women (OR 1.79; 95% CI 1.28-2.48). Women with concerns about oral contraceptives or IUDs used condoms or sterilization as their current contraceptive method significantly more often than other women. Results showed that concern about the risks of contraceptives is strongly related to women's past contraceptive experiences and influences their current use of contraceptives. More attention should be paid to information provided by health care professionals, especially that regarding risk probabilities.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

Mifepristone: a potential contraceptive.

Use of standard estrogen-progestin contraception remains problematic in several subgroups of patients (e.g., those in whom exogenous estrogens are contraindicated, such as survivors of hormone-dependent cancer, or patients with endometriosis or uterine fibroids). In addition, the postcoital contraception, even if already available, remains at least underused. Additionally, continuous intake of contraceptive steroids is under increasing scrutiny. Would antiprogestins, and specifically the applications of mifepristone such as the ones reviewed in this article offer significant improvements at such problematic occasions? The most attractive novel contraceptive application of mifepristone is that of emergency postcoital contraception after unprotected intercourse. In addition, various options in the endometrial category, specifically those requiring drug administration only during a limited time, might be used in the future. Mifepristone might offer contraceptive and therapeutic relief to patients suffering from endometriosis or uterine fibroids, both conditions that have been shown to benefit from mifepristone therapy. However, the use of mifepristone in contraceptive preparations that are widely available would pose an additional problem of possible misuse of the compound, the reason for currently limiting access to mifepristone. However, such risk should be easily avoidable in the case of postcoital contraception in which only one dose of mifepristone is needed. Regarding the future of mifepristone, and more broadly that of antiprogestins in contraception, the authors believe that they will have a place in the future contraceptive armament. As already emphasized, the strongest clinical areas are those of immediate postcoital and endometrial contraception. Additional studies evaluating parenteral modes of administration, the long-term endometrial effects, and safety and metabolic effects of prolonged antiprogestin administration are needed before mifepristone can be considered a part of the contraceptive arena.

Contraceptive Agents↗

PubMed2005

Oral contraceptives and the risk of venous thromboembolism.

BACKGROUND: Oral contraceptives were introduced in the late 1950s, and their use has altered society and has led to radical changes. Combined oral contraceptives are considered the most acceptable, effective, and most easily reversible method of contraception. In the early 1960s, an association between venous thrombosis and pulmonary emboli and oral contraceptive use was identified. In response, the amount of estrogen used in these contraceptives was decreased. Later, the concept that reducing the dose of estrogen would eliminate the risk of venous thrombosis was strongly challenged. OBJECTIVE: The available epidemiologic data and the mechanisms that underly the risk of venous thromboembolism as a side effect of oral contraceptive use will be described. Clinical implications based on both the relative and absolute risks in the general population and in women with a known tendency for venous thromboembolism will be discussed. METHODS: A literature search of MEDLINE was conducted for the years 1995 through 2005, using search word combinations including oral contraceptive, estrogen, progestin, venous thrombosis, venous thromboembolism, pulmonary emboli, and pulmonary embolism. Relevant articles relating to the topic of oral contraceptives and the risk of venous thromboembolism were studied and summarized for inclusion in this review article. RESULTS: Certain third-generation progestins in low-estrogen preparations were found to increase the risk of venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Also, the realization that genetic factors play a role in the degree of thrombosis risk led to insights into the hemostatic changes that occur during oral contraceptive use and that predispose women to thrombosis. Known risk factors for venous thromboembolism-inherited thrombophilia, a personal history of venous thromboembolism, and obesity-pose varying degrees of concern for both women and their physicians regarding the safety of oral contraceptives. CONCLUSION: In order to prevent venous thromboembolism, prudence is required when prescribing oral contraceptives to women who have an increased risk of that condition. Furthermore, having a risk factor may not be an absolute contraindication to the use of oral contraceptives, but it offers the opportunity for women to make informed decisions about their use. In the future, researchers should focus on developing effective oral contraceptives that are even safer than those that are available today.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗

PubMed2003

'Failed' contraception in a rural South African population.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the free availability of contraception affects the need for termination of pregnancy (TOP). DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING: South African rural hospital. POPULATION: Three thousand and ninety-five TOP seekers and 439 non-pregnant controls. METHODS: Structured questionnaire followed by ultrasonography. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Current use or recent discontinuation of contraception and the reason for discontinuation. RESULTS: Less than one-third (28.6%) of TOP seekers claimed to be using contraception versus 85.0% of controls. Injectable contraception (IC) was preferred by the controls and oral contraception (OC) by TOP seekers (chi 2 = 48.5, p < 0.0001, OR 0.34 (95% confidence interval 0.25, 0.46)). The percentage of discontinuation of hormonal contraception was higher in controls (chi 2 = 6.3, p = 0.012, OR 0.51 (0.31, 0.85)). The reason for discontinuation of hormonal contraception was obtained from 31.2% of TOP seekers and 63.3% of controls; no reason for discontinuation was acknowledged by 30.1% of the former and 6.3% of the latter (chi 2 = 33.4, p < 0.0001, OR 6.40 (3.25, 12.56)). Side-effects of hormonal contraception prompted more discontinuation in the failed-contraception group (chi 2 = 120.5, p < 0.0001, OR 49.4 (21.6, 112.5)). Poor compliance and absence of an acknowledged reason for discontinuing hormonal contraception resulted in 173 unwanted pregnancies. CONCLUSION: In South Africa two main components of women's reproductive health and rights are freely available, namely contraception and TOP. Not using contraception is one of the main causes of unwanted pregnancy. Better education of both service providers and users is needed to improve use, compliance and perseverance with contraception.

Abortion, Induced↗

PubMed1986

Bacterial flora of the cervix in women using different methods of contraception.

Bacteriologic culture samples were taken from the cervix in three groups of 10 healthy, sexually active women using barrier contraception, oral contraceptives, or a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine contraceptive device. Culture samples for Candida albicans and Trichomonas vaginalis were taken, a cytologic vaginal smear was obtained, and an amine sniff test was performed; these were in addition to a routine gynecologic examination. Multiple bacteria were isolated from the cervix in women using oral contraceptives or an intrauterine contraceptive device, whereas lactobacilli alone dominated the flora of women using barrier contraception. Significantly more anaerobic bacteria were isolated from the cervix in oral contraceptive and intrauterine contraceptive device users when compared with the barrier method users. Symptoms and findings evident of anaerobic vaginosis were associated with the occurrence of anaerobic bacteria in the cervix of three patients using the intrauterine contraceptive device. The results showed that the cervical bacterial flora in sexually active healthy women is rich in anaerobes that can be regarded as a normal finding in women using oral contraceptives or intrauterine contraceptive devices. Barrier contraception with a condom prevents this anaerobic shift and maintains a lactobacilli-dominated flora in the cervix.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

Are low-dose oral contraceptives safer and better?

It is widely believed that the use of low-dose oral contraceptives decreases thrombotic risks, compared with higher-dose oral contraceptives. Two recent epidemiologic studies infer a lower risk with 30 to 35 mcg than with 50 mcg estrogen oral contraceptives. However, as with prior studies from which similar conclusions were drawn, these studies have major flaws, the worst being that all 50 mcg oral contraceptives are lumped together, whereas 50 mcg mestranol oral contraceptives are actually bioequivalent to 35 mcg ethinyl estradiol oral contraceptives, thus confounding all such studies. Moreover, while rare thrombotic events have received inordinate attention, the major protective effect against endometrial and ovarian cancer that has been shown in older studies among users of oral contraceptives containing > or = 50 mcg ethinyl estradiol or > or = 80 mcg mestranol are almost totally ignored. The theoretical benefits of using lower-dose oral contraceptives have not been demonstrated, whereas the protection against these types of reproductive cancer have been shown repeatedly with high-dose oral contraceptives but not, to date, with lower-dose oral contraceptives. Such protection may be diminished by lowering the oral contraceptive dosage. Should every woman of reproductive age use high-dose oral contraceptives for 2 years? Are we throwing out the baby with the bath water?

Contraceptives, Oral↗

PubMed1999

Low-dose oral contraceptives and acquired resistance to activated protein C: a randomised cross-over study.

BACKGROUND: We have reported previously that, compared with use of second-generation oral contraceptives, the use of third-generation oral contraceptives is associated with increased resistance to the anticoagulant action of activated protein C (APC). Owing to the cross-sectional design of that study, these observations may have been subject to unknown bias or uncontrolled effects of the menstrual cycle. We aimed to overcome these sources of bias by doing a cycle-controlled randomised cross-over trial. METHODS: The response to APC in plasma was assessed in 33 women who received two consecutive cycles of a second-generation oral contraceptive (150 microg levonorgestrel and 30 microg ethinyloestradiol) or a third-generation oral contraceptive (150 microg desogestrel and 30 microg ethinyloestradiol), and who switched preparations after two pill-free cycles. Normalised APC sensitivity ratios were calculated by measurement of the effect of APC on thrombin generation in the plasma of these women and in pooled plasma from 90 controls. FINDINGS: Of the 33 women, five were excluded because not all required plasma samples were available. In the remaining 28 women, the normalised APC sensitivity ratio increased during treatment with both preparations. Compared with levonorgestrel, desogestrel-containing oral-contraceptive treatment caused a highly significant (p<0.0001) additional increase in normalised APC sensitivity ratio (0.51 [95% CI 0.37-0.66]). Normalised APC sensitivity ratios during oral-contraceptive treatment correlated with the values before oral-contraceptive use. INTERPRETATION: Oral-contraceptive treatment diminishes the efficacy with which APC down-regulates in-vitro thrombin formation. This phenomenon, designated as acquired APC resistance, is more pronounced in women using desogestrel-containing oral contraceptives than in women using levonorgestrel-containing preparations. Whether acquired APC resistance induced by oral contraceptives explains the increased risk of venous thromboembolism in oral-contraceptive users remains to be established.

Activated Protein C Resistance↗

PubMed2004

Contraceptive use and behavior in the 21st century: a comprehensive study across five European countries.

OBJECTIVE: The choice of currently available contraceptive methods has increased considerably in recent years, offering women of reproductive age a variety of different methods dependent on their needs and lifestyle. In order to determine the pattern of use of current methods in contraception, a survey was conducted in a large population of women drawn from five European countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom). METHOD: More than 12,000 randomly selected women, aged 15-49 years, were interviewed using a standardized questionnaire which addressed the use of current methods of contraception. The responses were analyzed for the total study population, and, where appropriate, by country and age. RESULTS: An oral contraceptive (OC) was confirmed as the most widely used method of contraception for women in the European study population, with an estimated 22 million users in the five countries. Women using an OC reported very high levels of satisfaction (>90%). Male and female sterilization were the main methods of contraception in women aged 40 years and older. One-half of the women had undergone their sterilization before the age of 35 years. More than 50% of the women who had undergone sterilization had not been adequately informed and counselled about alternative reversible contraceptive options. No method of contraception was being used currently by 23% of the European study population, and unreliable methods of contraception (including cap/diaphragm, chemical, and natural and withdrawal methods) were being used by a further 6% of the population. Although valid reasons (e.g. not in a sexual relationship, wish to become pregnant) were given by many women who were not using contraception, there still remains a large number of women who need counselling regarding the importance of using reliable contraceptive methods. The number of women aged 15-49 years in the five European countries who are considered at risk of an unwanted pregnancy is estimated to be 4.7 million (6.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Differences in the use pattern of contraceptive methods were demonstrated that emphasize the social and cultural differences between the countries. The findings in the current study can be used as a baseline from which to monitor trends in contraceptive use and behavior in subsequent studies.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Internal migration and contraceptive knowledge and use in Guatemala.

CONTEXT: Levels of modern contraceptive knowledge and use among people living in rural areas of Guatemala differ substantially from those of people living in urban areas. Understanding the pace and extent of rural-to-urban migrants' adoption of urban contraceptive practices is important in determining if there is a strong need for migrant-focused reproductive health programs. METHODS: Bivariate and multivariate analyses of data on 971 married male and female respondents in the 1999 Guatemalan Migration and Reproductive Health Survey were used to examine how migration status and duration of residence in an urban area are associated with knowledge of modern contraceptive methods and current contraceptive use. RESULTS: Migrants' contraceptive knowledge was positively associated with the number of years they had lived in an urban area. Mayan migrants in Guatemala City did not accumulate contraceptive knowledge at the same rate as non-Mayan migrants, perhaps due to cultural and linguistic barriers to obtaining knowledge of and access to contraceptives. Rural-to-urban migrants eventually achieve a level of modern contraceptive use slightly below that of urban nonmigrants, with the level of contraceptive knowledge being an important factor associated with use of modern methods. CONCLUSIONS: Migrants possess limited knowledge of modern contraceptive methods and, therefore, may experience unmet need for contraception or may have a limited choice of modern contraceptive methods during their first years in an urban destination. Programs designed to raise contraceptive awareness and use should target recent migrants--particularly indigenous Mayans--in urban areas.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

[Men participation in contraception according to women's perspective].

OBJECTIVE: To identify women's perceptions on men's participation in contraception. METHODS: Home interviews in the southern region of the city of S. Paulo, SP, Brazil, were carried out. The participant sample was of 254 female users of reversible contraceptive methods, who claimed to have sexual partners at moment of the interview. Statistical analysis of the demographic variables and content analysis techniques of the open questions were performed. RESULTS: In 78.8% of the cases, the contraceptive method of choice was of exclusive female use (pills, injectable, IUD, diaphragm). In spite of the high prevalence of female contraceptive methods, 82.7% of the participants asserted that their male partners were active participants in the contraception, which shows a discrepancy between the method used and their perception on men's participation. The main categories concerning women's perceptions on men's participation in contraception were: men support for the women to use female contraceptive methods and the occasional use by men of male contraceptive method when a woman needs to temporarily interrupt the use of her current contraceptive method. CONCLUSIONS: Women perceive men's participation in contraception as a support for them to use contraceptive methods that are highly efficient. The partner's support may be translated by buying the contraceptive pills, reminding the woman of taking them or expressing their opinion about the desired number of children. Women see contraception as an activity of her responsibility and their partners have an auxiliary role.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

How safe is emergency contraception?

Emergency contraception is used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex but before pregnancy begins. Currently, women can use emergency contraception by taking higher doses of the active ingredients found in ordinary oral contraceptive pills [either combined estrogen-progestogen (progestin) or progestogen-only formulations], or by having providers insert copper-bearing intrauterine devices (IUDs). The antiprogestogen mifepristone also has an excellent efficacy and safety profile as emergency contraception, but it is currently available for this indication only in China. Many studies have documented providers' and women's fears about the individual and public health safety risks of emergency contraception. Some of these concerns include potentially increased risks of cardiovascular events (including arterial and venous disease), worries about possible effects on future fertility, feared teratogenic consequences following method failure or inadvertent use during pregnancy, exaggerated or extreme fears of adverse tolerability, and concerns about drug interactions with other medications. Wider public health questions include feared reductions in the use of ongoing, more effective contraception, possible 'abuse' of emergency contraception through overly frequent use, and potential increases in risky sexual encounters (owing to the existence of a back-up, postcoital method) and therefore in rates of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS. These fears can each be generally allayed. Direct and indirect investigations of emergency contraception in the biomedical and social science literature, the extensively documented safety profile of ordinary oral contraceptives, and more than 30 years of clinical experience since hormonal emergency contraception was first described, give strong evidence for its safety. This review confirms declarations by the World Health Organization and the US Food and Drug Administration, and shows that emergency contraception has an excellent safety profile in nearly all women. Finally, emergency contraception allows women a second chance to avoid unwanted pregnancies. Whether pregnancy is carried to term or terminated, the condition has inherent risks that are greater than any posed by emergency contraception.

Congenital Abnormalities↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Emergency contraception--current trends, possibilities and limitations].

INTRODUCTION: Emergency contraception has been used for over three decades. Indications for emergency contraception are intercourse without contraceptive protection or inadequate application of other contraceptive means. Also, this method is the only way out in situations when sexual intercourse has proceeded not only without protection, but also without voluntary agreement of both partners. CONTRACEPTION MEANS: Despite of their proven efficiency, it is thought that application of contraception means, even in countries with highly developed systems of health care, is far below optimal. Contemporary studies have pointed out some new posibilities and novel, modified methods of emergency contraception have been proposed. Basic methods of emergency contraception include use of hormonal preparations and postcoital insertion of intrauterine copper devices. Hormonal preparations that are used in emergency contraception are: combined hormonal contraceptive pills, levonorrgestrel and antiprogestin mifepristone. In 1998, the method with levonogestrel only, was indicated by World Health Organization as a "golden standard" in hormonal emergency contraception. The article gives a survey of new trends, possibilities and limitations of modern emergency contraception, with the aim of popularization of this form of contraception in our country.

Contraception, Postcoital↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Knowledge and use of contraceptive methods in rural Sereer, Senegal].

This paper presents results from a retrospective survey carried out in a rural setting in Senegal (on 804 20-to-69-year-old men and 1,039 15-to-54-year-old women), and aims at improving the understanding of contraceptive knowledge and practice. Contraceptive knowledge was measured through spontaneous and recognized contraceptive methods; contraceptive practice was measured through the past and present use of contraception. The gap between spontaneously-cited methods and recognized methods is important. While about 80% of men and 70% of women had ever heard about any contraceptive method, only 46% of men and 23% of women could spontaneously mention a specific contraceptive method (respectively 33% and 17% mentioned a modern method). Analyses have shown that individual characteristics such as age, education, migration are all determinants of contraceptive knowledge. Married men and women are more likely to know about methods such as the pill, intra-uterine device (IUD) and injections, as a result of family planning campaigns, which have focused on these methods and targeted married women. Nevertheless, contraceptive practice is still low. Only 16% of men and 4% of women have ever used any method. Contraceptive prevalence (current use) of women is only 1.9% for all methods and 1.5% for modern methods. The more widespread use of condoms by young men (about 30% of single men have ever used a condom, against only 7% of ever married men) reflects its recent diffusion associated with a decrease in male age at first intercourse. The low contraceptive use by women reveals their lack of accessibility to contraception. Young generations are not able to find an adequate answer to their needs in the villages, where family planning still targets marital contraception. Recommendations are formulated in order to integrate adolescents more fully in policy programs.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

The 2002 Canadian Contraception Study: part 1.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the contraception and sexual health-related awareness, attitudes, and practices of a representative sample of Canadian women of childbearing age. METHODS: A self-report survey was mailed to a national sample of 3345 women, aged 15 to 44 years, who were members of a pre-recruited market research panel. Survey questions and methodology were similar to 3 previous Canadian Contraception Studies, allowing for description of current patterns of behaviours and beliefs and comparison of trends over time. RESULTS: Of 3345 women contacted, 1582 returned completed surveys, for a response rate of 47.3%. Responses were weighted to represent Canadian women by region, age, and marital status on the basis of current census data. Eighty-six percent of women sampled had ever had sexual intercourse and 78% were currently sexually active. Women's familiarity with oral contraceptives and condoms as methods of contraception was high (96% and 93%, respectively), but familiarity with other methods was much lower (sterilization, 62%; withdrawal, 59%; the morning-after pill, 57%; intrauterine devices, 50%; depot [injectable] medroxyprogesterone acetate, 38%). A very favourable opinion was held by 63% of respondents concerning oral contraceptives, by 38% concerning condoms, and by 39% and 28% concerning male and female sterilization, respectively. Among respondents who have ever had sexual intercourse, the most frequently used current methods were oral contraceptives (32%), condoms (21%), male sterilization (15%), female sterilization (8%), and withdrawal (6%). Nine percent of these respondents reported using no method of contraception at all. The currently reported rate of female sterilization is the lowest ever recorded in Canada. Survey results show that adherence to contraceptive methods is a challenge for many women and their partners, and that risk of sexually transmitted disease is an ongoing concern. CONCLUSION: This study provides a wide-ranging examination of contraception awareness, beliefs, and use among Canadian women that may provide guidance for clinical and public health practice. Part 1 of this report describes the methodology of the 2002 Canadian Contraception Study and the overall results of this study; Part 2 considers results pertaining specifically to adolescent women and women in their later reproductive years, reports on indicators of women's sexual function and reproductive health history, describes approaches to addressing challenges in contraception counselling, and presents data concerning trends in Canadian women's awareness and use of contraception over the past 2 decades.

Adolescent↗