Obstacles to modern contraceptive use among married women in southern urban Maldives

This study aimed to clarify the current state of, and factors associated with, modern contraceptive use among married women in the Maldives. A total of 205 women participated in interviews with structured questionnaires. Four sessions of FGIs were conducted to obtain in-depth information about the problems that they faced in using modern contraceptives. Both modern contraceptive users (MCUs) and those who were not modern contraceptive users (NMCUs) had a good knowledge of, and availability and accessibility to, contraceptives and social support for contraceptive use. NMCUs were more likely to have a husband who disapproved of modern contraceptive practice, to have difficulty communicating with their husband, to be afraid of side effects and to be dissatisfied with sexual sensation when using modern contraceptives. Moreover, NMCUs cited more perceived barriers against the use of modern contraceptives and preferred larger families than MCUs.     

Pregnancy preferences and contraceptive use among US women

ObjectivesAn understanding of the relationship between individuals’ pregnancy preferences and contraceptive use is essential for appropriate patient-centered counseling and care. We examined the relationship between women’s pregnancy preferences and contraceptive use using a new prospective measure, the Desire to Avoid Pregnancy (DAP) scale.Study DesignAs part of a study examining women’s suspicion and confirmation of new pregnancies, we recruited patients aged 15 – 45 from seven reproductive health and primary health facilities in Arizona, New Jersey, New Mexico, South Carolina, and Texas in 2016–2017. We used multivariable logistic, multinomial logistic, and linear regression models to examine the associations among DAP scores (range: 0 – 4) and contraceptive use outcomes and identify factors associated with discordance between DAP and use of contraception.ResultsParticipants with a greater preference to avoid pregnancy had higher odds of contraceptive use (aOR = 1.63, 95% CI: 1.31, 2.04) and used contraceptives more consistently (aβ = 8.9 percentage points, 95% CI: 5.2, 12.7). Nevertheless, 63% of women with low preference to avoid pregnancy reported using a contraceptive method. Higher preference to avoid pregnancy was not associated with type of contraceptive method used: women with the full range of pregnancy preferences reported using all method types.ConclusionWhen measured using a rigorously developed instrument, pregnancy preferences were associated with contraceptive use and consistency of use. However, our findings challenge assumptions that women with the highest preference against pregnancy use more effective methods and that women who might welcome pregnancy do not use contraception.ImplicationsWomen’s preferences about pregnancy contribute significantly to their use of contraception. However, health care providers and researchers should consider that contraceptive features besides effectiveness in preventing pregnancy shape contraceptive decision-making and use.     

Repeat use of contraceptive crisis services among adolescent women

"They don't get pregnant twice unless they are hopeless." This was one Doctor's reported assessment of women who had more than one abortion. There is some evidence that the repeated use of pregnancy testing 'scares', emergency contraception and abortion is increasing across all women. However, there may also be an interaction between this general trend and the difficulties faced by particularly vulnerable groups of teenagers who also have higher rates of teenage parenthood. This paper aims to provide an overview of the research and international statistics in this sparsely researched area. It will draw on the author's own qualitative work with 'high risking' teenage girls, and that of other researchers, in order to attempt to reach an understanding of the mechanisms behind this increasingly common phenomenon. The indications from this work refutes the notion that these women form a special or 'hopeless' group, but point towards general problems with contraception and services common to all women that may become compounded through structural vulnerability such as deprivation.     

Measuring contraceptive use patterns among teenage and adult women

CONTEXT: Measures of contraceptive use at one point in time do not account for its changing nature. A measure that addresses the pattern of method use over time may better predict the cumulative risk of unintended pregnancy. METHODS: Women at risk of unintended pregnancy were selected from the 1995 National Survey of Family Growth, and their contraceptive use patterns were compared across age-groups. Survival analysis was used to validate women's long-term use pattern as an indicator of pregnancy risk, and multivariate regression analyses were used to explore potential covariates of current patterns of contraceptive use. RESULTS: More than two-thirds of women aged 15-19 report long-term uninterrupted contraceptive use, but they are more likely to report sporadic use and less likely to report uninterrupted use of a very effective method than are women aged 25-34. Compared with women aged 25-34, women aged 20-24 have higher rates of sporadic use and lower rates of effective uninterrupted use. Among teenagers, nonusers are 12 times as likely as uninterrupted effective users to experience an unintended pregnancy within 12 months at risk. Women in less stable relationships, those having more infrequent intercourse and women who have recently experienced nonvoluntary intercourse for the first time are more likely than others to have a high-risk contraceptive pattern. Women aged 17 and younger whose current partner is more than three years older are significantly less likely to practice contraception than are their peers whose partner is closer in age. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term contraceptive use pattern is a valid predictor of unintended pregnancy risk. Policies aimed at reducing unintended pregnancies should target women who do not practice contraception and those who are sporadic users. Women in unstable relationships, those having infrequent sex and women who experience sexual coercion need access to methods, such as emergency contraception, that can be used sporadically or after unprotected intercourse.     

Acculturation and attitudes about contraceptive use among Latina women

Previous studies have shown that acculturation among Latinos is associated with increases in health-risk behaviors. This study examined associations between acculturation and contraceptive use among 291 low- to moderately acculturated Latina women. Respondents completed a survey assessing acculturation, contraceptive use, and related attitudes. Moderately acculturated women expressed lower intentions to use contraceptives, were less certain that they would be able to use contraceptives consistently for the next 6 months, and reported lower social support for contraceptive use, than did unacculturated women. Unacculturated women expressed more traditional cultural attitudes favoring large families than did moderately acculturated women. Social norms and low self-efficacy may place moderately acculturated Latinas at high risk for unintended pregnancy and STDs.     

Abortions among Israeli women after interruption in contraceptive use

Seventy-two Israeli women who underwent abortions were interviewed. Most of those interviewed had used modern contraceptives previously, but not before their most recent pregnancy. The interruption in contraceptive use resulted from adverse side effects of the contraceptives and instability in partner relationships.     

育龄妇女使用口服避孕药及其副反应的发生

目的 研究江苏省使用口服避孕药妇女副反应的发生情况,并探索其影响因素.方法 采用横断面研究的方法,使用调查问卷、体格检查表对符合人选标准的已婚妇女进行调查.结果 副反应的总发生率为19.34％.苏北、苏中和苏南的副反应发生率分别为22.78％、23.44％和15.03％,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.001).多因素Logigic回归分析显示,育龄妇女口服避孕药副反应的发生存在地区差异,随着年龄减小,人工流产数增加,发生副反应的风险升高.结论 江苏省使用口服避孕药妇女的副反应发生率较高.应加强育龄妇女使用口服避孕药前的健康检查,重视避孕药知识的宣传和指导,加强对多次人工流产史妇女的监测,减少副反应发生.     

Trends and correlates of hormonal contraceptive use among HIV-infected women in Rakai, Uganda, 1994-2006

Background

Little is known about what factors correlate with hormonal contraceptive (HC) use in HIV-infected women in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods

We assessed the trends in HC use among HIV-infected women in Rakai, Uganda; determined factors associated with HC use and considered whether those factors changed over time.

Results

HC use among HIV-infected women in Rakai increased from 5.7% in 1994 to 19.2% in 2006, but nearly half of all pregnancies in this population were unintended. Variables associated with increased HC use included higher education, socioeconomic status, parity, sexual frequency, being currently married or in a relationship, discussion of family planning with a partner and receipt of HIV results. Variables negatively associated with HC use included symptoms suggestive of opportunistic infections, having no sex partner in the past year, condom use, breastfeeding and older age. Most associations remained stable over time.

Conclusion

Although contraceptive use by HIV-infected women has increased three-fold in this rural population, unintended pregnancies persist, placing women and their children at risk of adverse consequences.     

Oral contraceptive use and risk of diabetes among Chinese women

Oral contraceptive (OC) use has been associated with alterations in carbohydrate metabolism. We examined the effect of OC use on the risk of diabetes among Chinese women. A nested case-control study was conducted among 57,130 women screened for diabetes at enrollment for the Shanghai Women's Health Study, a population-based cohort study of Chinese women aged 40-70 years in Shanghai, China. Included in this study were 259 women newly diagnosed with diabetes and 2072 age-matched controls (8 controls per case), randomly selected from women who tested negative for urine glucose. Multivariate-adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to measure the strength of the association between OC use and diabetes risk. Overall, OC use was not associated with the risk of diabetes. Stratified analysis by menopausal status revealed a dose-response relationship between the duration of OC use and the risk of diabetes among premenopausal women (p for trend = 0.02), with a 3.2-fold elevated risk observed among those who used OC longer than 1 year. Risk of diabetes diminished with increasing time since last OC use (p = 0.02). Use of intrauterine devices was associated with a reduced risk of diabetes in both pre- and postmenopausal women (OR = 0.67, CI: 0.48-0.93). These findings suggest that recent use (within 5 years) and continued use (>1 year) of OCs may increase the risk of diabetes among Chinese women. However, the attributable risk for diabetes among OC users in the general population, if confirmed by further studies, appears to be small.     

Ethnophysiology and contraceptive use among low-income women in urban Brazil

Distrust and dissatisfaction with contraceptive methods among low-income Brazilian women contributes to incorrect contraceptive use, harmful health risks, and an extensive reliance on surgical sterilization. Data from ethnographic fieldwork in a low-income neighborhood in urban Brazil illustrate that women's concerns regarding contraception make sense in the context of their general health and illness beliefs and their understanding of reproductive physiology. Women interpret and experience biomedical concepts and contraceptive methods (such as "hormones" and oral contraceptives, respectively) according to an ethnophysiology of fecundity, menstruation, and conception. These popular representations of reproduction embody social relations and local experience and therefore persist despite the influence of biomedical models. Recognition of this ethnophysiology and greater emphasis on culturally appropriate counseling and education among health care professionals will improve women's experience and effective use of reversible contraception.     

Progestogen-only contraceptive use among breastfeeding women: a systematic review

Background

The use of progestogen-only contraceptives by breastfeeding women raises theoretical concerns regarding possible adverse effects on breastfeeding success, and infant health or growth. This review was conducted to determine from the literature whether use of progestogen-only contraceptives by breastfeeding women leads to adverse effects on lactation, or infant growth or health when compared to nonuse.

Study Design

We searched the Medline, Popline, Cochrane and LILACS databases for all articles published from database inception through May 2009. Studies were included if they investigated the use of progestogen-only methods in breastfeeding women and reported on clinical outcomes in either women or their infants. Standard data abstraction templates were used to systematically assess and summarize. Summary odds ratios were not calculated, given the heterogeneity of interventions, results and non-quantifiable outcomes reported.

Results

We identified 43 articles for this review. Overall, five randomized trials and 38 observational studies demonstrated no adverse effects of various progestogen-only methods of contraception on multiple measures of breastfeeding performance through 12 months in women using these methods in the postpartum period. Many of these studies also demonstrated no adverse effects of progestogen-only methods on infant growth, health or development from 6 months to 6 years of age. Additional studies demonstrated no effects on infant immunoglobulins or sex hormones of exposed male infants. A single study of a desogestrel pill reported two cases of gynecomastia in exposed infants.

Conclusions

Evidence suggests that progestogen-only methods of contraception do not adversely affect breastfeeding performance when used during lactation. Evidence that progestogen-only contraception does not adversely affect infant growth, health, or development when used by breastfeeding women is consistent but methodologically limited.     

Oral contraceptive use among young women in southern Sweden.

STUDY OBJECTIVE--The aim was to survey oral contraceptive usage among women under 25 years of age. DESIGN--This was a cross sectional population study based on information collected by questionnaire mailed to randomly selected individuals. SETTING--The study population consisted of Swedish women born between 1960 and 1964 and living in the southern Swedish health care region which has about one and a half million inhabitants. PARTICIPANTS--The sample consisted of 3477 women, of whom 2573 or 74% agreed to participate in the study and were interviewed between November 1990 and April 1991. MAIN RESULTS--Of the 2573 women participating, 2254 (88%) reported having used oral contraceptives at some time, 77% of them having started during their teens. Teenage start of oral contraceptive use was found to be related to a lower age at menarche, a higher marriage/cohabitation rate, a lower rate of teenage full term pregnancy, a higher rate of spontaneous abortion, a lower frequency of teetotalism, and a higher frequency of smoking. Longterm use of antipsychotic drugs appeared to be less common among women who started oral contraceptive use early, but no relationship with other pharmaceutical drug usage was found. No relationship was found between oral contraceptive use and the presence of a first degree relative with cancer. CONCLUSIONS--A large proportion of Swedish women start using oral contraceptives during their teens, and report long duration of usage both before their first full term pregnancy and before the age of 25 years. The few women who have never used oral contraceptives do not appear to be representative of the general population.     

Progestin-only contraceptive pill use among women in the United States

BackgroundProgestin-only contraceptive pills (POPs) offer a safe and effective contraceptive option, particularly for women at increased risk of venous thromboembolism. However, the prevalence of POP use among women in the United States is unknown.Study DesignWe analyzed population-based data from 12,279 women aged 15–44 years in the National Survey of Family Growth. Data were collected continuously from 2006 to 2010 by in-person, computerized household interviews. Analyses describe POP use across sociodemographic and reproductive characteristics and thromboembolic risk profiles.ResultsOverall, 0.4% of all reproductive-aged women in the United States currently use POPs. POP use was higher among parous, postpartum and breastfeeding women than their counterparts (all p values<.001). Women at higher risk of thromboembolism (older, obese, diabetic or smoking women) had similar proportions of POP use as women without those risks.ConclusionPOPs are rarely used by US women. While data on chronic disease were limited, our results suggest that relatively few women with increased risk of thromboembolism are considering POPs when choosing an oral contraceptive.     

Associations between recent contraceptive use and quality of life among women

BackgroundWhether contraception affects health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is unclear.Study DesignWe conducted a cross-sectional analysis of routine intake data collected from women aged 18–50 years, including the RAND-36 (Research and Development Corporation) measure of HRQoL, pregnancy intentions and recent contraceptive use. We used multivariable logistic regression to test the relationship between HRQoL and use of any and specific contraceptives. Physical and mental HRQoLs were dichotomized based on US population averages. Models were adjusted for age, race, marital status, education and pregnancy intentions.ResultsAmong the 726 women, those using any form of contraception were more likely to have average or better mental HRQoL than women using no contraception [adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=1.60, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–2.53]. Women using injectable contraception were less likely than those using combined hormonal methods to have average or better physical HRQoL (aOR=0.26, 95% CI 0.09–0.80) and mental HRQoL (aOR=0.24, 95% CI 0.06–0.86).ConclusionsMeasures of women's HRQoL differ with contraceptive use.     

Combined oral contraceptive use among breastfeeding women: a systematic review

Background

Postpartum women need effective contraception, but using hormonal contraceptives may affect breastfeeding performance and infant health outcomes.

Study design

We searched the MEDLINE and Cochrane databases for all articles published through May 2009 for primary research studies that investigated clinical outcomes among breastfeeding women who used hormonal contraception or their infants.

Results

Three randomized controlled trials reported decreased mean duration of breastfeeding and higher rates of supplemental feeding among combined oral contraceptive (COC) users than among nonusers, while one multicountry trial found no differences in these parameters. Only one study demonstrated lower average weights during the first year of life for infants whose mothers used COCs while breastfeeding. None of the eight studies, four of which were observational, included in this review documented adverse infant health outcomes.

Conclusions

Limited evidence demonstrates an inconsistent effect of COC on breastfeeding duration and success. The evidence is inadequate to determine whether a mother's use of these drugs affects breastfeeding duration or the infant's health.     

Sexual initiation and contraceptive use among adolescent women in northeast Brazil

To estimate trends and determinants of sexual initiation and contraceptive use among adolescent women in Northeast Brazil, multivariate logistic hazard models are used that draw on data from three Demographic and Health Surveys conducted there between 1986 and 1996. Educational attainment is among the variables found to be associated most consistently with differential risk of engaging in first intercourse during adolescence, including premarital intercourse, and of contraceptive use during sexual initiation. Greater frequency of attending religious services and greater exposure to television are also associated with lower rates of sexual initiation and higher use of contraceptives. Seemingly diminishing returns of education on delayed sexual activity may help explain, in part, observed increases in the absolute level of adolescent sexual experience across survey periods, however. Multilevel modeling techniques pointing to the existence of cluster-level random variances underline the need for further research into community influences on individual sexual activity.     

流产后关爱服务对高效避孕方法使用的影响

目的:探讨流产后关爱(PAC)服务对高效避孕方法使用的影响。方法:选取2014年1~6月在郑州大学第一附属医院妇科门诊行人工流产的763名健康妇女,随机分为两组,PAC组375例在接受人工流产服务的同时接受流产后关爱服务,对照组388例接受传统的人工流产服务,比较两组术后即刻及术后3、6、12个月高效避孕方法的使用率、续用率以及术后1年内重复流产率。结果:PAC组术后即刻及术后3、6、12个月高效避孕方法的使用率优于对照组(P0.05),PAC组术后1年内重复流产率明显低于对照组(P0.05)。结论:PAC服务可促进女性术后选择高效避孕方法,提高短期内续用率,降低1年内重复流产率。