The effects of temperament and character on the choice of contraceptive methods

Contraceptive use during the reproductive lifecycle as reported by 46-year-old women in Sweden

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate the contraceptive methods 46-year-old women in Sweden had chosen during different phases of their reproductive lifecycle and, the factors affecting their choice.

STUDY DESIGN

The design was a retrospective cross-sectional study and targeted 46-year-old women. Five hundred Swedish women were randomly selected from a national population-based register and sent a questionnaire with 18 multiple response questions: the response rate was 47%.

RESULTS

The women used different contraceptive methods during different phases of their reproductive lifecycle. Women mainly used oral contraceptive pills and condoms before pregnancy, copper-IUD between pregnancies and, hormonal- and copper IUD after pregnancy. Condoms were used during all phases of women's fertile period. Women with early sexual debut were more likely to have used condom as their first contraceptive method than women with late sexual debut, and women who had children were more likely to use IUD as current contraception than women without children. High efficacy, accessibility and advice from a counselor were the most cited reasons for choosing a particular method. The most common reasons for discontinuing contraceptive use were a wish to be pregnant and concerns about side effects. The partner had little or no influence on choice of method, but advice from a gynecologist or midwife was influential.

CONCLUSIONS

46-year-old women in Sweden had chosen different contraceptive methods during different phases of their reproductive lifecycle. Partners appear to have limited influence over this choice. Individualized counseling by health care providers seems important.

Breaking the barrier: the Health Belief Model and patient perceptions regarding contraception

BACKGROUND

The study was conducted to determine the discrepancy between unintended pregnancies and use of contraception is attributed to imperfect use, misconceptions and an inability to adjust therapy to lifestyle.

STUDY DESIGN

A survey administered at a Federal clinic incorporated the Health Belief Model to determine patient's emphasis in pregnancy prevention. Analysis focused on comparing participant demographics to reasons for contraceptive selection.

RESULTS

Ease of use ranked the most important for contraception as patient's education levels increased (p=.001). As household income increased, emphasis on potential side effects became less (p=.02). Patients with private insurance ranked ease of use most frequently (p=.01). Males emphasized effectiveness and menstrual suppression more than females (p=.04 and .008).

CONCLUSION

A positive correlation between perceived benefit regarding ease of use as educational level increased and perceived barriers due to side effects as income level decreased immerged. Special counseling by practitioners to improve patient's self-efficacy, ultimately enhancing contraceptive adherence, are warranted.

Perceived competence and contraceptive use during adolescence

BACKGROUND

Little is known about psychosocial correlates of different contraceptive methods in adolescence.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional analyses of 209 postmenarcheal girls [mean age (years)+/-SD=15.68+/-1.74], primarily Caucasian (62.8%) or African American (32.8%). Competence (activities and social) and rule-breaking behavior were assessed by the Youth Self Report (YSR; adolescent) and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL; parent). Three contraceptive-use groups were created: no hormonal contraceptive (n=142), combined oral contraceptives or the transdermal patch (COCs/patch, n=41), and depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA, n=20).

RESULTS

There was a significant effect of contraceptive-use group on competence (p=.003). The DMPA group had lower competence (CBCL activities and social; YSR social) than the no-hormonal-contraceptive and COCs/patch groups. The COCs/patch group scored lower than the no-hormonal-contraceptive group on YSR activities competence, but was not different from the DMPA group. Lastly, there was an effect of contraceptive-use group on CBCL (but not YSR) rule-breaking behavior (p=.029) with the DMPA group having higher rule-breaking behavior than the other groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Type of contraceptive method was associated with parent and adolescent's perceived competence. For rule-breaking behavior, parental perception may be more relevant to contraceptive use.