birth control
Birth control practices and conservatism.

Joe VC, Jones RN, Noel AS, Roberts B.

This study examined the relationship of conservatism to reports of contraceptive usage, reasons for nonusage of a particular birth control method, and knowledge of birth control information. The never married high conservative subjects who were sexually experienced revealed that they had (a) a lower frequency of usage as well as a lower variety of contraceptive methods; (b) endorsed the beliefs that it was morally wrong and that it was unnatural to use a given birth control method significantly more often as reasons for not using contraceptive techniques; and (c) less knowledge of birth control methods than did low conservative subjects who were sexually experienced. Results were interpreted to support the notion that the fear of loss of control of one's impulses and hence the basis for conservative attitudes are determinants of contraceptive usage.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=512818&dopt=Abstract birth control



birth control
Twenty-seven strategies for teaching contraception to adolescents.

Chesler J.

This article summarizes research on the effects of education on adolescents' contraceptive behaviors and suggests strategies to enhance teaching for contraception. Learning about birth control methods in sex education classes does not necessarily enable teenagers to use them effectively. In addition to needing accurate, unbiased information about contraceptive technology, teenagers need help in clarifying their values so that their social behaviors are congruent with their moral codes. Adolescents also benefit from understanding how contraception relates to sexual behavior and how family planning may enable them to become parents at the time of their choice. Twenty-seven strategies for teachers are listed, each one related to a particular contraceptive problem adolescents encounter.

PIP: The effects of education on adolescents' contraceptive behavior are summarized in suggested strategies to teach sex education and family planning. Learning about methods in class does not necessarily enable teenagers to use them effectively. In addition to accurate, unbiased information about contraceptive technology, teenagers need help in clarifying their values so their social behaviors are commensurate with their moral codes. Adolescents also benefit from understanding how contraception can enable them to become parents when they so choose. Some of the strategies are as follows: providing information on the risks of pregnancy; teach all birth control options; reduce fears of a particular method of contraception; discuss alternatives to intercourse; express positive values for each contraceptive method; promote consumer attitudes about contraceptives; clarify values about premarital sex and unprotected sex; reduce anxiety about sexual activity; teach assertiveness; teach that a comfortable setting enhances contraception; help teens plan to use birth control in their context of sexual activity.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=6897986&dopt=Abstract birth control



birth control
Sexual experience and responses to a birth control film.

Herold ES, Thomas RE.

The objective of this research was to examine the relationship between sexual experience and sexual and contraceptive attitudinal responses to a birth control film. A questionnaire was administered immediately before and after showing a birth control film to 103 college females. Subjects were classified into three groups according to their sexual and contraceptive experience. With perceived change measures, it was found that the film reinforced sexual and contraceptive beliefs. Significant group differences were found regarding reinforcement of sexual attitudes but not for contraceptive attitudes.

PIP: A study was conducted to determine the relationship between sexual experience and sexual and contraceptive attitudinal responses to a birth control film. The study group consisted of 103 female undergraduates at 3 Ontario universities. The group was given a prefilm attitude test, shown the film focusing on attitudes toward premarital sexuality and birth control, and then retested. The students were classified into 3 groups according to their pretest responses: 1) those having no experience of intercourse; 2) those who had experienced intercourse but who did not always use birth control; and 3) those with sexual experience who always used birth control. The nonintercourse group held the most conservative attitudes to premarital intercourse, followed by those in groups 2 and then 3. Posttesting showed that the film had served to reinforce preexisting attitudes rather than changing attitudes. In fact, pretest attitudes toward the use of birth control were already very positive, even among those with no experience of intercourse; due to the ceiling effect, attitude reinforcement was more possible than any change toward more positive views. Contrary to the fears of sex education opponents, this program did not seem to encourage promiscuity.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=6898262&dopt=Abstract birth control



birth control
What do teens know about the facts of life?

Amonker RG.

PIP: A survey was conducted through the Springfield, Missouri, Planned Parenthood and local schools to assess teenage knowledge of contraception, abortion, reproduction, and venereal disease. Response was voluntary and the sample is not representative. Most of the respondents were white and female. While 2/3 of the respondents said they were sexually experienced, only 1/3 had used some method of birth control. The questionnaire included 25 statements concerning specific methods of birth control, 5 dealing with reproduction, and 3 with abortion. The teenagers were not generally well informed. Lack of information rather than incorrect information was the main problem. The respondents were much better informed regarding abortion than they were about birth control or reproduction. They were also generally well informed about venereal disease. On both total knowledge of the subject and specific knowledge regarding birth control, females scored higher than males and whites scored higher than blacks. Knowledge increased with age and educational level. Those with sexual experience and those with birth control experience scored higher than those without.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=6905898&dopt=Abstract birth control



birth control
Attitude toward and use of induced abortion among Taiwanese women.

Wang JF.

PIP: 751 Taiwanese married women between the ages of 19-45 years were interviewed to ascertain differential use of abortion as a birth control method. The study population was stratified according to educational level. Openended questions were asked and the number of missing observations for the variables ranged from 189-613. Although abortion is illegal in Taiwan, the procedure is easily accessible and can be inexpensive depending on the type of practitioner used. Abortions are a primary source of income for urban gynecologists and midwives at birth stations often act as intermediaries and sources of referral to physicians. Of the 742 valid questionnaires obtained, 557 women reported using abortion as a birth control method, 223 of these respondents indicated the actual number of procedures undergone. Variation in the use of abortion as a birth control method was not significantly related to educational attainment, occupational group, respondent's employment status, household income level, or religious affiliation. Women of higher educational status and teachers did tend to have fewer abortions. The practice of effective contraception may be more common among these women who may have a better understanding of body functioning and conception than other groups. The ability to plan multiple aspects of their lives and enlist their husbands' cooperation in birth control practice may also be a function of higher educational status. Women who married at a younger age did have significantly more abortions than women who delayed marriage. This relationship was expected as younger women would have a greater exposure to the chance of pregnancy. Given the frequency of abortion and its apparent acceptance as a birth control method, its illegal status is curious.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=6918417&dopt=Abstract birth control



birth control
Factors influencing birth control habits in Victoria.

Selwood T, Leeton J.

PIP: A survey was conducted in March 1978 for the purpose of comparing the contraceptive habits of Melbourne and ex-Melbourne populations in Victoria. Of the 1312 records of sexually active persons collected in 1978, 1254 of those persons were between the ages of 15 and 49. Recorded information included age, sex, marital status, and place of domicile (Melbourne or ex-Melbourne, Victoria). When the Melbourne population was compared with the rest of Victoria, the proportion using each method of contraception was much the same for each group. A marked difference was the proportion using withdrawal in Melbourne; this was over 3 times the proportion among the ex-Melbourne population. Over 35% of persons under age 30 used oral contraceptives (OCs), compared with 24.2 in the over 30 age range. Barrier methods and natural family planning methods and withdrawal were commonly used by the older age groups. A large proportion of the over age 30 group used sterilization and hysterectomy as forms of birth control. Individuals in "de facto" relationships showed a tendency towards more reliable forms of contraception than did other groups. Only 20.3% were not using some form of contraception. Single persons were frequent OC users and users of barrier methods. 28.1% used no form of contraception. The sex of the person interviewed in the survey revealed a bias. Males tended to report male birth control methods and female reported female methods rather than those used by partners of the opposite sex. Marital status influenced birth control choice. The choice of birth control for each marital status was influenced by the confounding factor of mean age of each group.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7247847&dopt=Abstract birth control



birth control
[Modern methods of regulating generative function]

[Article in Russian]

Manuilova IA.

PIP: During the past decade the World Health Organization (WHO) has embarked on a $17 million program to study different kinds of contraceptive methods and their effect on maternal health. More than 600 scientists from 85 countries are participating. These investigations have implicated abortion as a factor in miscarriage, perinatal morbidity, and perinatal mortality due to isthmus-cervical inadequacy. It is also implicated in sterility and extrauterine pregnancy, as well as other disorders of pregnancy. Hence WHO emphasizes other birth control methods, in particular the pill. But the birth control pill also has side effects, as this is the first time that hormones have been used not to treat some illness but in healthy women. Their incidence increases with age (after 30-35 years of age) and also is enhanced by smoking, high blood pressure, hyperlipoproteinemia, and diabetes. Oral contraceptives (OCs) also reduce the incidence of benign tumors of the breast, ovarian cysts, iron-deficiency anemia, and rheumatoid arthritis. They have a beneficial effect also in endometriosis, dysfunctional hemorrhages, polyposis and endometrial hyperplasia, ovulatory problems, and inflammatory conditions of the genitals. Many of the longterm effects of these contraceptives are still unknown, such as their influence on cancer or on the fetus. The WHO investigation has shown that 1/2 stop taking the birth control pill after 1 year, and 2/3 after 2 years. Another widespread technique is the IUD, used by over 60 million women. But this causes hemorrhage in some, especially the women of India, Pakistan, and other countries. Work is now being done on ways to minimize the hemorrhage associated with the IUD, to clarify its presence as a cause of inflammatory processes of the genitals, extrauterine pregnancies, and subsequent sterility. The WHO also studied the rhythm method of preventing conception and found that 35% of women ceased employing it after 13 months, while 20% became pregnant. It was decided to work on elucidating new methods of determining the onset of ovulation. The WHO is also studying the use of prostaglandins to interrupt pregnancy. A major task for the future is determining which women are at greatest risk from the various birth control techniques.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7336255&dopt=Abstract birth control