Social factors in the choice of contraceptive method: a comparsion of first clinic attenders accepting oral contraceptives with those accepting intrauterine devices

Abstract

At a hospital contraceptive clinic with between 1200 and 2400 new clients each year, regular recording is made of the social and personal characteristics of the clinic users together with their contraceptive and reproductive histories. An analysis has been made of the differences found between those accepting the pill and those the intrauterine device (IUD) at their first attendance. Age and parity show marked differences and these are related to employment and ethnic origin. Previous contraceptive use showed distinct differences; IUD acceptors were more likely to have had induced abortions. These findings are discussed in relation to the prevalent use of these two methods and it is suggested that IUD fitting should be more widely available.

Social characteristics of diaphragm users in a family planning clinic

“…These results show a declining use of the diaphragm among women attending the hospital clinics, even though the proportion of users has been regularly "below that in the FPA clinics. Combined with the high proportion of IUD acceptors discussed previously (Kingsley & McEwan, 1977), this may indicate the trend towards the more highly technical in the hospital situation where there are research trials into newer methods and more gynaecologically skilled staff. There have still been enough diaphragm users in the 4^ years studied to make comparisons worthwhile and to show some significant variations in the social characteristics and reproductive behaviour of diaphragm users.…”