birth control
Acceptance and non-acceptance of birth control methods and associated facts in rural areas of Midnapur district of West Bengal.

Sen T, Das B.

PIP: 490 married Bengalee Hindu women, rabging in age form 12-49 years, in 3 villages of Midnapur district (India) were interviewed during January-April1980 to clarify attitudes of acceptors and nonacceptors of birth control methods. Only 102 (90.81%) of the women were acceptors, including 10 cases where both the partners were involved in planning their families. There were 388 (79.18%) nonacceptors among 490 respondents. Among the acceptors 43.13% has undergone vasectomy and 9.8, had tubal ligation. Among the nomacceptors 495 male and 462 female children were born to 388 mothrs. The sex ratio was 107.35 male/100 female. 196 male and 165 female childen were born to 102 mothers who were acceptors. The sex ratio of their children was 112.72 male/100 female. The percentage (85.30%) of the nonacceptors with no fetal loss was higher than the acceptors (75.49%), whereas percentage (14.17%) of the nonacceptors with 1-3 reproductive wastage was lower than the percentage (23.52%) of the acceptors. The highest percentage(44.11%) of 102 acceptors was found with 4-6live births and the lowest percentage (3.92%) was found with no live birth. The highest percentage (53.35%) of 388 nonacceptors was found with 1-3 live births; the lowest percentage (10.30%) of them showed above 6 live births. There was a significant difference in connection with the number of live births among acceptors and nonacceptors. There was a siginificant difference between the acceptors and nonacceptors mothers in relation to the number of living children. 63.14% of the nonacceptors wanted to learn birth control methods to restrict the number of their children, indicating the need to itensify the family planning program in this districy of West Bengal.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12313108&dopt=Abstract birth control



birth control
Volumetric vaginal aspirator may aid in natural family planning.

[No authors listed]

All natural family planning (NFP) methods are based on the determitnation of a woman's fertile period so that a couple may abstain from sexual relations or use a mechanical means of birth control during that time. Researchers are seeking more accurate methods of predicting the onset of ovulation in order to increase the effectiveness of NFP. A new device developed by Dr. Gebhard F.B. Schumacher, a fertility specialist at the University of Chicago who serves on FHI's Technical Advisory Committee, and Dr. Stepen J. Usala, a former medical student at the University's Pritzker School of Medicine, holds the promise of providing a new, cheap, and relatively simple way of predicting ovulation. Called a volumetric vaginal aspirator, the instrument allows women to measure their own vaginal fluid on a daily basis. In early studies of 7 women carefully studied over 18 menstrual cycles, a striking 3 fold to 30-fold increase in the volume of vaginal fluid occurred a few days before ovulation. Results from 12 more women for a total of 26 cycles confirmed the earlier studies. Blood samples were taken in order to measure the levels of estrogen, known to increase prior to ovulation, and luteinizing hormone, which peaks sharply on the day of ovulation, in the women studied. These confirmed that ovulation typically had occurred after the fluid volume increase. In addition, participants recorded their basal body temperature (BBT) upon awakening. Although the BBT does not predict ovulation, it frequently increases by 1/2-1 degree Fahrenheit after ovulation thus serving as an indicator of the end of the fertile period. The prototype of the vaginal aspirator is a disposable plastic syring marked at .05 milliliter intervals so that fluid levels can be easily measured. After the manufacturing process for the aspirator is perfected so that the instrument can be mass produced, Dr. Schumacher hopes that largescale clinical trials will be initiated in the US and abroad. The larger studies and an endocrine study are needed in order for effective rules to be developed for applying the method in either birth control or fertility enhancement. The vaginal aspirator could be useful not only for preventing unplanned pregnancy but also for aiding couples experiencing infertility to pinpoint the time that conception is most likely to occur. As an aid in birth control, the aspirator should have a success rate similar to or better than that of a diaphragm, Dr. Schumacher believes. Although the women testing the vaginal aspirator were ablet to use it without assistance, Dr. Schumacer emphasizes that some patient education will be necessary if it becomes commercially available. Fertility awareness teachers could incorporate it into their courses. Research on the volumetric vaginal aspirator has been supported by FHI and by Mothers' Aid Research Fund of Chicago Lying-In Hospital. full text

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12313224&dopt=Abstract birth control



birth control
[Birth limitation, late marriage and decline in the natural increase rate of the population]

[Article in Chinese]

Zhang LZ.

PIP: Birth limitation and late marriage are two major factors which contribute to the reduction of population growth rate. These two factors should be used as the fundamental method for effectively controlling China's population growth. Facts have proved that birth limitation and late marriage are complimentary to each other and should match each other closely. Since late marriage cannot be delayed indefinitely, the average fertility rate for females under the age of 25 in their first marriage may still reach 5-6 children, provided that birth control measures are not taken. Because of this situation, at the same time that late marriage is encouraged, birth control should also be promoted positively. All married couples should be advised to have only one child. In order to ensure the everlasting practice of these two methods, certain policies concerning family planning and birth control should be formulated according to China's current economic situation. These policies include enforcement of an ideological education and social insurance practice in order to solve the problem of the high population growth rate in the countryside and effectively reach the goal of controlling China's population growth.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12313349&dopt=Abstract birth control



birth control
Birth control method should suit your lifestyle.

[No authors listed]

PIP: In choosing a method of birth control, effectiveness and safety are the key considerations. Yet, one's decisions about contraception also must be balanced against important considerations regarding children and family. Many other factors play a role in the choice. Women who live in rural areas where medical services are not easily available may not want to use oral contraceptives (OCs) or IUDs because both carry the risk of serious complications. Costs of the contraceptive method and of related medical examinations are a consideration for women in some financial circumstances. A partner's attitude also is crucial to selecting a birth control method. Methods such as condoms, withdrawal, spermicides, and diaphragm require his cooperation if they are to be effective. Health problems which might be worsened by a particular type of contraception require the advice of a physician. The physician should take a woman's health history and sexual pattern into account when prescribing a birth control technique. The contraceptive decision should be based on whether a woman plans to have children eventually. A woman who has several partners may find condoms, foams, and diaphragms inconvenient, even though they help prevention infection, but she should not use in IUD, which is convenient but carries a high risk of infection for women who have more than 1 sexual partner. OCs might be the best choice under these circumstances. A chart identifies the relative advantages and disadvantages of contraceptive methods.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12314112&dopt=Abstract birth control



birth control
[Family planning in India]

[Article in Chinese]

Mo HF.

PIP: India, one of the 1st countries to develop family planning, had a 19.9% decline in its birth rate from 1965-80. This, however, is not adequate in degree or speed. India's 1st private family planning clinic was established in 1925. A government sponsored family planning clinic was built 5 years later. By the early 1950s, governmental support for family planning included 6 5-year plans (1951-83), the target of which was to limit the birth rate to 25/1000 by 1984, and 21/1000 by 2001. A mortality rate of 9/1000 by 2001 was also targeted. By 1979, there were 51,972 Health Centers and Stations in rural areas, all manned by 2-3 physicians, and 50-80 support staff. In urban areas, there were over 1900 family welfare centers. But these do not meet the needs of the entire populace. As early as the 1950s incentives were given to those practicing birth control (e.g., free birth control operations, or priority in housing and jobs). A system of fines was instituted in 1976 for those refusing to participate in family planning, resulting in an increased use of contraceptives. For the years 1956-81, 80,000,000 women used some form of birth control. The percentage of married women practicing birth control jumped from 12% in 1970 to 28% in 1981. Of those successful in family planning, 20.2% were sterilized. But the rate of effective use of birth control varies greatly from area to area, ranging from 1% to 35%. Family planning work in India is hindered by a complex political system, religious beliefs, traditional customs, and illiteracy. By 2000, India's population might increase by 40% to 961,000,000.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12315380&dopt=Abstract birth control



birth control
Sterilization a popular, effective method of birth control.

[No authors listed]

PIP: Sterilization is a permanent and trouble-free birth control method. When a vasectomy is performed, the 2 ducts that carry sperm from the testes to the penis are cut and occluded; therefore the man ejaculates semen without sperm during sexual intercourse. Vasectomy is almost 100% effective and is a minor operation conducted in a doctor's office of clinic. Men are usually instructed to sue another birth control method for 2 months following the operation to be sure that the sperm are out of seminal fluid. The female operation is more complicated and involves cutting the woman's fallopian tubes to prevent pregnancy. After the operation, her sexual function is not affected and she continues to menstruate and produce female hormones. Things to consider with sterilization are children's death, divorce and custody, and financial situation. You may be a poor candidate for the following reasons: you are under 30 years old, are not in a stable relationship, are experiencing a problem pregnancy, and relying on operation reversal if you change your mind. Doctors can perform tubal occlusion by 2 methods: laparoscopy and minilaparotomy. Laparoscopy is accomplished using a device like a telescope called a laparoscope. Electrocoagulation is the most common method of sterilization, and some doctors use special rings or clips to occlude the tubes. There is 4/1000 chance o pregnancy in women that have tubal occlusion. Tubal occlusion costs between $1500- $2000 where as vasectomies cost between $300-$500. Complications occur in about 1% of women who have tubal occlusions and these are blood clots, infection or injury to the bladder or uterus. Surgical methods for reversing sterilization are improving but the majority of men and women seeking these procedures are not good candidates and many are not successful.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12316252&dopt=Abstract birth control



birth control
Integrated birth spacing and MCH Program in Narativas Province.

Bhiromrut P.

PIP: The author describes the birth control situation and the success achieved by the intensification of the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) service in Narativas, one of the provinces of Thailand. In Narativas the contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) in 1984 was 25.9, while the national average was 64.6 percent. The "Expansion of Maternal and Child Health and Birth Spacing Program" was introduced in order to alter the situation. As a result, CPR increased to 34.3 percent in 1989, and the number of new acceptors doubled from 4,337 in 1983 to 8,299 in 1988. Since 78% of the population is Moslem, birth control methods cannot be introduced directly. Emphasis was laid on the role of religious leaders who were trained centrally. Community involvement in birth control was stimulated by selecting model mothers fulfilling strict criteria. Village health volunteers, traditional birth attendants and auxiliary midwives contributed to the project. Teams visited the villages at definite times to give information about birth spacing, conduct routine examination of pregnant mothers and children, administer immunizations and dispense drugs. Women already motivated to use modern contraceptives were offered services. 2 teams doubled the increase of MCH and birth spacing acceptors. The strategy, described in the review in detail, increased MCH coverage and reduced infant mortality. The service served 5,064 mothers in Narativas. Altogether 5,542 new family planning acceptors were referred to health centers for contraceptive services during the period of June 1985 - December 1988.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12316429&dopt=Abstract birth control