birth control
Family planning in the People's Republic of China: report on first official IPPF visit.

Katagiri T, Terao T.

PIP: This article is a description of family planning in the People's Republic of China based on the authors' visit there in 1972. Family planning programs began in China in the late 1950's and the services are free. All birth control methods are used. Tubal ligation is performed under acupuncture anesthesia. 2 types of oral contraceptives are used. Both stainless steel and plastic IUD'S are employed._ There has been an effort to raise the average age of marriage. It is now 25 for women and 30 for men in urban areas, and 22-23 and 27-28 respectively in rural areas. Barefoot doctors and their assistants trained in simple medical techniques carry contraceptives with them for immediate distribution. They assist qualified doctors in abortions, sterilizations, and IUD insertion. They also insert IUDs themselves. The authors report on Ton Wan People's Commune where it was reported that 90% of the commune used some form of birth control. The writers also describe and give data on birth control procedures in 2 towns, Pon Pu New Village, and Shao Yun Shang. They point out that national vital statistics have not been published for a few years, and some national data available may be inaccurate. Statistics on individual communes may not be representative for the whole nation. However, it is believed that the population growth rate of China is now less than 2%, and possibly the country will achieve the goal of a 1% population growth rate set by Chou En-lai for the year 2000.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12275847&dopt=Abstract birth control



birth control
Role of industries in family planning.

Thiagarajan T.

PIP: There is a new generation of urban workers who do not have traditional attitudes toward having large families, and are amenable to the idea of birth control. The industries at which these workers are employed also have a stake in promoting family planning in that workers with large families are usually more prone to accidents and alcoholism. Some industries have medical facilities at which workers and their families can be given family planning services. Even those without clinical facilities can employ a lady medical officer to visit women in their homes to promote family planning. Additional incentives and disincentives could be provided to encourage birth control. For example, new workers could be recruited, in part, on the basis of their family size, with those having fewer children being given preference; priority in workers accomodations could be given to those with 3 or fewer children; contraceptives could be provided free of charge; free scholarships, free uniforms, and attractive increments could be made available to those practicing birth control.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12333598&dopt=Abstract birth control



birth control
Fertility, education, and social change.

Punekar V.

PIP: Level of education in India affects the age at marriage, the role of women, the desire to maintain and raise the standard of living, mobility , and cultural values all of which contribute to a couple's motivation to practice birth control. A review of differential fertility studies carried out in different parts of India indicates that generally the level of education and fertility are inversely related. However, the conclusions showing mean fertility at different levels of education are not uniform and this suggests that there is a critical level of education above which self-motivation, the conscious effort at family limitation on the part of the couple, determines the fertility level. Couples with less education may be inspired to practice birth control after reaching a certain parity. In India, level of education, by raising the age of marriage, widening the non-familial role of women, raising the desired standard of living, increasing geographical mobility and inculcating the small family norm, either directly affects fertility or induces the need for a small family. These variables are a direct result of education and operate most effectively upon couples educated at the level of professional and post-graduate degrees. The small family norm can also be instilled in couples with secondary and college levels of education and family planning will be practiced after the desired number of children is reached. Both self-motivation and sustained motivation are almost absent in couples with only primary or less education. Studies indicate that this section of the population will practice birth control only at high parity levels with outside encouragement.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12333680&dopt=Abstract birth control



birth control
A more optimistic look at the birth control statistics.

Kippley JF.

PIP: An article published in September 1977, by Charles Westoff and Elise Jones predicted that the rhythm method of birth control will soon be of only historical interest. This article disputes that conclusion. The Couple to Couple League (CCL) only began significant activity in 1974. It is predicted that natural family planning (NFP) will be seen to be holding steady in the National Fertility Study of 1980 and actually gaining in practitioners by 1985. Of current CCL teaching couples, 50% have switched from other methods of birth control. Each of these teaching couples can teach 50-100 other couples annually. NFP is also being practiced by Protestants. It is predicted that NFP will be adopted by more and more Catholic and Protestant couples because it is the only morally acceptable method of birth regulation.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12335306&dopt=Abstract birth control



birth control
Contraceptive decision-making: helping adolescents to choose.

[No authors listed]

PIP: Adolescents may have a particularly difficult time making a decision to use contraception and selecting a birth control method. Adolescents have special needs and concerns which may influence their choice of a method and their eventual contraceptive behavior. Teaching strategies that consider these needs and concerns can more effectively promote sound decision-making and consistent contraceptive use. The aniety, confusion and ambivalence adolescents feel in relation to their sexuality may lead to problems in acknowledging that they are sexually active. In addition, young people frequently lack the necessary information about sexuality and experience infrequent or spontaneous sexual encounters which further limit their ability to plan ahead. Also, in some countries current contraceptive choices are limited. Some of the factors involved with decision-making about contraception are described -- availability, effectiveness and safety, financial cost, convenience, and religion and culture. In teaching about birth control it is necessary to include information on how each method is properly used and where contraceptives may be obtained. It is also important to discuss other expressions of affection, such as social activities enjoyed together, as alternatives to intercourse. 1 approach to teaching youth about birth control is the decision-making model which actively involves young people in problem solving.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12336251&dopt=Abstract birth control



birth control
Stand of other religious groups.

Bernales EH.

PIP: The views of heads and representatives of 5 major religious groups in the Philippines, other than the Catholic Church and the Muslims, are presented. The groups reviewed are the following: Protestants (United Methodist Church); Iglesia ni Cristo; the Philippine Independent Church (known as the Aglipayan Church); the Iglesia Watawat Ng Lahi; and Jehovah's Witnesses. The United Methodist Church recognizes the need to control population growth in the Philippines and accepts all methods of family planning for as long as they are medically safe and are administered with the couple's free consent. The United Methodist Church makes family planning information and services accessible to its members by means of community centers and medical clinics. A Christian sect, the Iglesia ni Cristo, approves of the different forms of birth control and is 1 of the major agencies involved in the national population programs. It operates mobile clinics that offer all forms of family planning services. The Philippine Independent Church strongly favors the different forms of birth control and has several family planning clinics operating in the Philippines. The Iglesia Watawat Ng Lahi, a minor sect, does not see anything wrong in the use of contraception and has been responsive to the national population program. The Jehovah's Witnesses, a Christian organization, believes that the Bible is the inspiring word of God or Jehovah. As the Bible does not directly discuss birth control, birth control has never been a subject of open discussion among its members. Personal decisions relating to procreation are left to the individual's conscience.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12337598&dopt=Abstract birth control



birth control
10 views on the Catholic Church's stand on birth control.

Young VC.

PIP: It has been 12 years since the papal encyclical "Humanae Vitae" was issued continuing the Catholic Church's opposition to mechanical methods of birth control. 10 individuals are interviewed as to their attitude toward the Church's teaching regarding birth control. The individuals are identified by name and occupation in some cases; there is no indication of where in the world they live or how representative their views are of the majority of Catholics. Views range from completely supportive of to completely opposed to the view of the encyclical. 1 individual felt that work toward economic development rather than control of population through artificial means would be most successful. Another opposed artificial means of birth control because of their adverse effects and the possibility that Western nations might be trying to control the growth rates of developing countries. Natural family planning, i.e., the rhythm method, was favored by 1 as a means of promoting husband-wife dialogue. Another mistrusted the rhythm method as unreliable. Several others felt that the Church must face the present, realize the problem of uncontrolled population growth in the world, and condone family limitation.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12337600&dopt=Abstract birth control