Abstract: | In 1968 data was presented on the use-effectiveness of the IUD in Korea. 5 years' experience in 3 clinics, from January 1963-December 1967 was analyzed. Up to August 1965, 4564 Lippes loops had been inserted. Of these, 2020 of 44.3% were terminated because of pregnancy, expulsion, or removal, and a further 11.4% of women were lost to follow-up. Only 44.3% were active users at the cut-off date. The total cumulative termination rates per 100 first insertions were calculated at the end of Year 1, 2, 3, and 4. These were respectively 23.6, 37.3, 45.9, and 52.6. The results of the 3 clinics were compared with those in the larger national program. By the end of the second year of the program, 56% of the cases were terminated, and by the thirtieth month 62.9%. There were more expulsions and removals in the national program than in the clinic trials. Despite more insertions every year, the number of IUD users has levelled off and has failed to increase. The level is at about 800,000. It has been shown that with 250,000 users a year and 17% of reinsertions among drop-outs, the number of IUD users will stabilize at 815,000. A plateau of IUD users emerges which cannot be raised by present methods. |