Suchergebnisse

Multifactorial analyses of data from representative British and German national contraception surveys were used to examine the principal demographic determinants of contraceptive use by women. Contraceptive use appeared to be determined mainly by reference to 'reproductive status' (the combined impact of age, marital status, parity and future child wish). Women who were postponing pregnancies were using oral contraceptives, whereas those who wanted no more children relied more on intrauterine devices or sterilisation. Differences between the countries suggested that the choice of contraceptive method was influenced by health care policy, the organisation of the relevant services and differential provider preferences. The contraceptive method used was also related to having occasional rather than steady sexual partners (more condom use), lower educational level (less oral contraceptive use) and frequent church attendance (greater use of condoms and periodic abstinence). Contraception decisions appeared to follow a fixed pattern, based more on a couple's demographic situation (reproductive status, country, educational level and religious beliefs) than on the characteristics of the contraceptive methods. This resulted in an unnecessarily restricted choice of methods.

SummaryIn 1984 and 1985, a survey was conducted of 7696 women aged 15–44 living in Italy, France, Great Britain, Spain and the Federal Republic of Germany. The aim of the study was to examine the use of contraceptive methods, the differences in contraceptive use, knowledge of fertility, communication about contraception, motives for choice and the perceptions held by women regarding contraceptive methods, particularly oral contraception. The results show important differences between the countries studied.