birth control
The effects of programs of birth control education on the practice of induced abortion in Japan.

Figa-talamanca I.

PIP: The impact of family planning education on abortion in Japan is discussed. At the present time, Japan has a low birthrate (18.5% population) and a low death rate (7.1% population) which allows an annual average 1% natural increase rate. The birthrate has been halved in 30 years. Although it is a common assertion that Japan solved its population problem by induced abortion, this view is both inaccurate and a simplification of the actual demographic situation. There are at least 3 important demographic factors that contributed to the reduction of the Japanese fertility: 1) the decline of the age-specific fertility among married women achieved by birth control methods, including abortion; 2) emigration, especially from the rural areas; and 3) the change in the marriage pattern of the population. The present family planning movement was started in the 1920s by the socialists and the leaders of the labor movement, but the government discouraged the movement and continued the strong pronatalist policy. After World War II, the Eugenic Protection Law was enacted in 1948. In 1951, as a result of the increasing numbers of reported induced abortions, the government officially disapproved of induced abortion as a usual means of birth control and endorsed an official plan to promote conception control. From 1950 to 1965, women using contraceptive methods increased from 19.5% to 51.9%. From 1950 to 1965, women who had experienced induced abortion decreased from 35.6% to 29.7%. But during that period, the percentage of women who had experienced induced abortion fluctuated up and down. In fact, induced abortions have been on the upswing since 1961. Having no data on the rate of illegal induced abortion, the observed reduction of abortion in favor of contraception is always open to alternative explanations in addition to the family planning programs. It appears that there has been a greater impact of family planning education in cities than in rural areas. Early reduction of the abortion practice in highly educated women represents the early successes of the family planning programs. There is some evidence that abortion is changing from a model fertility control means to a supplemental means resorted to when contraception fails.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12332427&dopt=Abstract birth control



birth control
A contraceptive program for teenagers: the San Francisco experience.

Gilbert R.

PIP: The Planned Parenthood Association of Alameda-San Francisco established a clinic in 1967 for girls under 18 years of age, offering contraceptive care, pregnancy testing, pregnancy and abortion counseling, venereal disease testing, and counseling and rap sessions. The clinic is held twice weekly after school hours, on a drop-in basis, currently averaging 70 patients per afternoon. Confidentiality is safeguarded. Requests for birth control and worries about pregnancy are the two main concerns of the patients. Rap sessions allow teenagers to discuss sexuality without embarrassment or restriction. Counselors interview the girls about their attitudes concerning sex, relationships with their parents and boyfriends, and past birth control experience. The oral contraceptive is chosen by 90% of the new patients. The next most popular methods are the IUD and diaphragm. 90% of all girls found to be pregnant choose abortion. Boys also come to the clinic and can receive free condoms. An awareness of population and ecology should be introduced at the junior high school level to establish an early understanding of the interrelationship of birth control, population and environmental issues. The San Francisco Teen Clinic has gained wide acceptance in the teenage community by providing a responsbile and responsive service.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12332642&dopt=Abstract birth control



birth control
Fertility and contraception in Puerto Rico.

Beebe GW, Belaval JS.

PIP: A contraceptive service was established in Puerto Rico in 1937. Detailed study of the reproductive history of low income families admitted to the service provides information for the basis of the present high fertility of the population and the likelihood of its continuance. The experience of these families following admission to the contraceptive service shows the impact of the service upon their fertility, testing the view that Puerto Rico might respond to an organized birth control effort. The sample consisted of 1962 families selected not randomly but on the basis of indigence and interest in contraceptive advice. 1/3 of the couples reported some previous effort at contraception, with most of the contraceptive practice depending on withdrawal. Residence, education, occupation, and income are all associated with the marked variation in the proportions who reported contraceptive experience. The percentages are 26 and 52 for rural and urban residence; 21, 27, 44, and 59 for the educational groupings with less than 5 to 7 and 8 or more completed grades. For the low, medium, and high occupational groups, the percentages are 20, 45, and 69, and for the corresponding income classes they are 22, 42, and 66. Women aged 25 to 29 and 30 to 34 report contraceptive practice with much greater relative frequency than younger women. Clearly marked differences are found in the rates for contraceptors of different social and economic classes. Although the reason for high fertility in Puerto Rico is due to lack of cultural and economic pressure to limit families, there is evidence to suggest that use of birth control has begun. It appears that fertility reduction would be implemented if the population possessed better knowledge of birth control measures and readier access to contraceptive materials, particularly condoms. A clinical program to encourage the use of contraception might also prove effective.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12275792&dopt=Abstract birth control



birth control
Family planning council of Nigeria: statistics of new cases only (birth control and sub-fertility) Jan to June 1972.

FAMILY PLANNING COUNCIL OF NIGERIA.

PIP: The Family Planning Council of Nigeria reported statistics of new birth control and sub-fertility patients between January and June 1972. The statistics showing the number of new acceptors by geographic region, is also tabulated by birth control method or sub-fertility service. Of the total 8,209 new acceptors, 4,748 are from Lagos State and 1,966 are from the Western State. 3,101 chose the IUD as a method of contraception; 4,568 chose the oral contraceptive pill, 114 chose injectables, 280 chose foam or jelly, 65 underwent a D/C, 81 chose condoms as a method of birth control. The oral contraceptive pill was most popular in Lagos with 3,372 in this geographic location accepting this method. IUD's, on the other hand, were most popular in Western State, with 1,282 new acceptors of this method. All in all, 977 women were given sub-fertility services, of which 392 came from Northern State.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12332938&dopt=Abstract birth control



birth control
Julia Henderson: in spite of opposition more and more people are practicing.

[No authors listed]

PIP: In this interview Julia Henderson responds that since the 2nd half of the 1950s the international community has become aware that the increasing world population has decreased world resources. She reports that of the developing continents of Asia, Latin America and Africa, the crisis in Asia is the most severe because there the ratios of population to arable land are the worst. Henderson indicates that even where there is no national policy concerning family planning, as in most countries of Latin America, people are practicing birth control regardless. 30 countries now have official policies supporting family planning in their development plans. Another 30 countries have asked their ministers of health and voluntary agencies to deal with the problem. However, numerous other countries are simply avoiding the issue and tolerating the efforts of the International Planned Parenthood Federation. In over 100 countries with either official or unofficial programs, political leaders have recognized that a large population no longer means power. The quality of the population and the strength of the economy have become more important than numbers. The status of women in developing countries affects their use of family planning; most will not practice birth control without their husband's consent. The willingness of men to have vasectomies varies according to the culture. Vasectomy has become acceptable among a number of groups in India, Pakistan, England, and the U.S. The International Planned Parenthood Federation recognizes that abortion is still the major birth control method in developing countries. The objective is to decrease the number of abortions and the number of maternal deaths resulting from illegal abortions by offering safe, efficient and reliable methods of contraception. Regarding abortion procedures, evidence indicates that the vacuum aspiration method of abortion is a safer and more humane procedure.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12333111&dopt=Abstract birth control



birth control
Birth control and family planning.

Harvey PD.

PIP: The writer challenges the belief expressed in previous articles that birth control and family planning programs must be a part of general health care systems. It would be better to make such items as condoms and birth control pills available to many people for whom the total health package is inaccessible. Greater accessibility of birth control methods enhances the chance for improved health care generally.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12333391&dopt=Abstract birth control



birth control
U.A.R.: influential factors in the acceptance of birth control and the consequential approaches to family planning.

Rzepnicki T, Diller C.

PIP: A number of factors have retarded the acceptance of birth control methods among peasant communities in Egypt: 1) the religious world-view of the peasant discourages him from interfering with the natural process of procreation; 2) the large family is important socially and economically in peasant society for strength and security and for the distribution of labor; 3) the status of a married woman depends to a great extent on the number of children, particularly the number of sons, she bears; and 4) in the Egyptian village, the midwife discourages the use of contraception. Acceptance and utilization of birth control methods in Egypt are directly proportionate to the level of education of the individual. The better the economic status of the family, the smaller the family is likely to be. Demographically, the closer a family lives to Cairo, the more likely it is that birth control techniques are being used. Egyptian family planning programs which take into consideration the difficulties of spreading the acceptance and use of contraceptives in traditional societies are discussed.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12333533&dopt=Abstract birth control