birth control
A national survey of women's attitudes toward oral contraception and other forms of birth control.

Murphy P, Kirkman A, Hale RW.

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Washington, D.C., USA.

PIP: A survey of women 18 years of age and older was conducted in 1993 for The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists by The Gallup Organization to examine women's opinion about the effectiveness of oral contraceptives and other methods of birth control. Many of the questions asked in the survey were repeated from an earlier Gallup study conducted for the College in 1985. The survey results were based on telephone interviews with a national sample of 995 women, 18 years of age or older, conducted from August 9 through September 21, 1993. None of the birth control methods was thought to be completely effective, though women tended to score oral contraceptives, implants, the intrauterine device, and injections more highly than other methods. The rhythm method, condoms, gels, spermicides, and foams were thought to be less effective. The condom was the only form of birth control thought by 49% of the women surveyed to provide complete (4%) or considerable (45%) protection against sexually transmitted diseases. However, only 6% reported that they currently used condoms. Other methods more likely to be named as providing at least some protection were spermicides/gels/foams (21%), diaphragms (18%), and sponges (13%). A large majority of the women reported that, with the exception of condoms, none of the other birth control methods provided protection against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). 38% of women believed that condoms provided quite a lot of protection, and an additional 35% thought they provided at least some protection against HIV transmission. 54% of the women surveyed incorrectly believed there are substantial risks with using oral contraceptives, but 36% did not think so. The number of women citing substantial risks had decreased significantly since 1985 (54% vs. 76%). Of these, cancer was most frequently mentioned (29%). 42% of women named some type of benefit from using oral contraceptives other than preventing pregnancy; although an equal proportion (42%) thought there were no health benefits.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7613112&dopt=Abstract birth control



birth control
Choice of contraceptive method for birth control and attitudes toward abortion in Swedish women ages 23-29.

Lindell ME, Olsson HM, Sjoden PO.

In Sweden, contraceptive methods for birth control are readily available, but one in four pregnancies was legally terminated during the period from 1975 to 1990. Our purpose in conducting the present study was to describe young women's choices and use of contraceptive methods and their attitudes to abortion. The participants were 305 Swedish women ages 23-29 years. Eighty-eight percent of the women were using some contraceptive method. The most common method was hormonal (43%), followed by a barrier method (22%). The women considered that abortion should not be used as a method of birth control and that the fact that a pregnancy is unintended is not a sufficient reason for terminating it. An acceptable reason, they thought, for a woman to have an abortion is the woman's present situation, in particular her social situation. The women were aware that the use of contraceptive methods gives them the chance to choose if and when they wish to have children.

PIP: In 1991 in Orebro county in central Sweden, 118 women aged 23-29 attending the cytology outpatient clinic for a Papanicolaou test completed a questionnaire so researchers could learn about their contraceptive use, preferred contraceptive, reasons for using that contraceptive, and attitudes toward abortion. 88% used a birth control method. 80% used contraception to prevent unplanned pregnancies. The leading birth control methods were hormonal methods (43%) followed by barrier methods (22%) and combination of 2 methods (15%). 21% of all women used a condom, a rather low percentage considering the public debate on sexually transmitted diseases, particularly HIV/AIDS. Yet 79% of the women were in a monogamous relationship. 12% of all the women had had an abortion. 97% believed it to be wrong to consider abortion a birth control method. 67% thought that it is wrong to regulate fertility by abortion. 72% believed the women's current social situation to be an important argument for an abortion. The respondents knew that use of contraceptive methods grants them the ability to choose if and when they have children.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7706142&dopt=Abstract birth control



birth control
Past and present contraceptive behavior of new Soviet immigrant women in Israel.

Cwikel J, Rozentsweig A, Sofer T, Ben-Tal T, Shvartzman P.

Department of Social Work, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel.

This exploratory research investigated past and current use of contraceptives among a purposive sample of 117 new immigrant women from the Commonwealth of Independent States (former Soviet Union). The findings confirm the widespread use of induced abortion (IA) as a method of birth control before immigration. Fifty-eight percent of the sample had had at least one IA, and the average was 2.7 IA. The most commonly used types of contraception before immigration were the pill, safe days, withdrawal, and the IUD. Currently used types of contraception were the IUD, safe days, withdrawal, and condoms; however only 45% of the sample were currently using any type of contraception. Of particular interest were the relatively high reported use of the pill before immigration and low current use, and the former low level of condom use and its increase in popularity in Israel. Despite the availability of more effective methods of birth control, safe days and withdrawal remain commonly used. The high cost of the pill was mentioned as a deterrent to its current use. Despite the high prior level of IA, the majority of women in this sample (84%) preferred today to use other birth control methods, and would like the opportunity to receive professional advice. These findings support the need for educational efforts directed toward new immigrant women from CIS.

PIP: In early 1992 in Israel, 117 recent Jewish immigrant women from Belarus, Russia, and the Ukraine completed a questionnaire designed to examine their past and current contraceptive behavior. The mean number of months in Israel was 2.7 months. The mean number of children among the 90 women with children was 1.74 (range 1-5). 58.1% of all 117 women had had at least one induced abortion. The mean number of induced abortions per woman was 2.7 (range 1-12). More than 40% of women who had had at least one induced abortion had at least 3 induced abortions. 104 women were or had been married, or had a steady partner. The most frequently used family planning methods in the past were oral contraceptives (OCs) (33.7%), safe days (24%), withdrawal (15.3%), and IUD (15.3%). Only 4% used condoms in the past. Current family planning methods used included IUD (23%), safe days (23%), withdrawal (18.3%), and condoms (13.5%). Only 2.9% currently used OCs. The mean number of methods currently used was 1.8. Reasons for not using contraception before immigration were: not safe (18%), reduced sexual pleasure (11%), not available (9%), no steady sexual partner (7%), and desire to conceive (5%). After immigration, reasons for not using contraception were too expensive (11%) (especially OCs) and not safe (9%). 84% preferred to use contraception rather than undergo an induced abortion. 62% wanted professional advise on contraception. These findings illustrate the need to provide new immigrant women from the Commonwealth of Independent States with accurate information about the health effects of various family planning methods.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7809388&dopt=Abstract birth control



birth control
The effects of gender and birth control pill use on spontaneous blink rates.

Yolton DP, Yolton RL, Lopez R, Bogner B, Stevens R, Rao D.

Pacific University College of Optometry, Forest Grove, OR 97116.

BACKGROUND: Two major reference works suggest that men and women blink spontaneously at different rates, but they disagree with regard to which gender blinks faster. METHODS: Spontaneous blink rates of 59 males and 86 females, 44 of whom were taking birth control (BC) pills, were measured for 5 consecutive minutes. Schirmer test results and tear break-up times (TBUTs) were also obtained. RESULTS: Females taking BC pills blinked at a mean rate of 19.6 times per minute, females not taking birth control pills blinked 14.9 times per minute, and males blinked 14.5 times per minute. There were very large differences between blink rates for individuals in each of the groups. No strong associations were found between spontaneous blink rates and a history of contact lens use, tear break-up time, Schirmer test results, temperature or humidity in the examination room, subject age, or menstrual cycle phase. CONCLUSIONS: The 32 percent increase in mean blink rate for females taking BC pills suggests that the pills affect at least one of the mechanisms that control spontaneous blinking, but it is unclear how they accomplish this.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7822673&dopt=Abstract birth control



birth control
Management of HIV infected pregnant women in Chonburi Hospital.

Pinchun P.

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Chonburi Hospital, Thailand.

This study on birth control methods used, and HIV infection protection of the HIV infected pregnant women in the obstetrics-gynecology department of Chonburi Hospital from 1 January 1990 to 31 December 1993 revealed that there were 27 HIV infected women with less than 24 weeks gestational age, using birth control methods as such 12 women (44.44%) had tubal resection after abortion, 8 women (29.62%) oral contraceptive pills, 5 women (15.51%) injectable contraception, and 2 women (7.40%) norplants. The 106 HIV infected women with more than 24 weeks gestational age were allowed to deliver. The birth control methods were as follows: 19 women (17.92%) tubal resection, 38 women (35.84%) oral contraceptive pills, 49 women (46.22%) injectable contraception. They were all encouraged to use a condom while having sexual intercourse. Only 40 women of this group are still seen in the follow-up clinic and all are found to be healthy, the birth control is effective and HIV infection is in the early stage. The new born babies were not allowed to be breast fed and were followed-up periodically to 18 months old. Twenty five babies received HIV blood test; 7 babies (28%) were found to be HIV infected. The birth control and HIV infection protection used in this study demonstrate no adverse effects on the disease, and the unexpected problems of these women, as well as the health personnel concerned are reduced both economically and socially. This study provides the guidelines of good care for HIV infected pregnant women.

PIP: The author collected data on birth control and HIV infection among HIV-seropositive pregnant women in the obstetrics and gynecology department of Chonburi Hospital from January 1, 1990, through December 31, 1993. 137 of the 16,370 pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic over the period were found to be seropositive for HIV, while another 10 women not seen in the clinic were also positive, resulting in 147 women aged 17-40 years in the study. 90 women were housewives by occupation and 115 women were married. Women of gestational age less than 24 weeks were advised to abort their fetus, while women of gestational age over 24 weeks were allowed to deliver at full term. After termination of pregnancy or delivery, all HIV-seropositive women were advised on birth control methods such as tubal resection, oral contraceptive pills, injectable contraception, and Norplant. In addition to counseling on contraception, they were advised to use condoms with nonoxynol during each episode of sexual intercourse. The women were followed-up and their newborns tested for HIV. Newborns were not allowed to be breast fed. 27 of the women who were of gestational age less than 24 weeks decided to have abortions. Afterwards, 12 opted for tubal resection, 8 for oral contraception, 5 for injectables, and 2 for Norplant. Of 106 women of greater gestational age, 19 underwent tubal resection, 38 chose oral contraception, and 49 chose injectables after delivery. 35 babies born in 1990 and 1991 were followed, with 19 babies lost to follow-up and 5 of the 16 who received blood tests after 18 months testing HIV-seropositive.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7844496&dopt=Abstract birth control



birth control
Employment and the use of birth control by sexually active single Hispanic, black, and white women.

Kraft JM, Coverdill JE.

Center for Research on Deviance and Behavioral Health, University of Georgia, Athens 30602.

Previous studies of the use of birth control by sexually active single women tend to emphasize family background and aspirations, and restrict their attention to teenagers. We elaborate this framework by considering how labor market experiences might shape the birth control practices of women in their late teens and twenties. Data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Labor Force Experiences--Youth Cohort provide evidence that employment histories and wages influence birth control practices, net of the effects of family background, aspirations, and educational attainment. Several pronounced racial and ethnic differences are found.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7890094&dopt=Abstract birth control



birth control
Contraceptive use and attitudes among U.S. women.

Hillard PA.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, OH.

PIP: More than half of the 6.3 million pregnancies which occur annually in the US are unintended. Approximately 50% of the unintended pregnancies which occurred in 1987 were among women not using birth control, while the other 50% occurred among women who were using some form of birth control when they became pregnant and most likely suffered method- or user-related contraceptive failure. The incidence and outcomes of unintended pregnancies vary with women's age. Oral contraceptives are the most popular of reversible birth control methods among US women, with nearly 30% of American couples choosing the pill as their method of reversible contraception. 25% chose tubal sterilization and 11% vasectomy. A 1992 survey found 25% of contraceptive users to use condoms, 8% withdrawal, and 1% the subdermal hormonal implant. As for method satisfaction, 94% of OC users are content with their method compared to only 17% and 57% who are satisfied using rhythm and withdrawal, respectively. The following factors affect women's choice of a contraceptive method: childbearing plans and age, women's perceptions of birth control methods, past experience with contraception, physician's influence, religious factors, education, access and cost factors, and health concerns. Future trends in contraception will likely be shaped by the changing demographics of the US population and increased awareness of sexually transmitted diseases along with the continuation of the AIDS pandemic.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7950393&dopt=Abstract birth control