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  • Title: Reasons for pregnancy termination: negligence or failure of contraception?
    Author: Savonius H, Pakarinen P, Sjöberg L, Kajanoja P.
    Journal: Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand; 1995 Nov; 74(10):818-21. PubMed ID: 8533567.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to analyze the reasons for the failure of contraception and the reasons for not using any contraception among women seeking a legal abortion on social grounds. The women were also asked about their knowledge of contraception methods, including postcoital contraception. METHODS: We interviewed 200 women applying for a legal abortion within the first trimester of pregnancy about contraception, the contraceptive methods used, and the possible reasons for failure of contraception. RESULTS: Of all the women interviewed, 93% claimed to have adequate knowledge of contraception. At the time of conception 11.5% used safe methods (OCs 8%, IUDs 3.5%), 63% used less safe methods, and 26% were without contraception. Only 25% of the pill users had no explanation for the failure. 76.7% of the condom users reported that the condom was broken, had slipped off or its use had been irregular. The concern about side effects was the most common reason for not using safe contraceptives (25%). CONCLUSIONS: The women claimed to have enough information about contraceptives, and postcoital contraception was also familiar, but the knowledge on how to use them in practice was inadequate. Irregular use and breaks in contraception were common. Despite the data based on Pearl indices, pills failed twice as often as IUDs. Counseling about the proper use of contraceptives is important, although the concern about the side effects appeared to be a big, unsolved problem. Interviews with 200 abortion seekers at a Finnish hospital revealed a high incidence of contraceptive failure. Although 93% claimed to have adequate knowledge about contraception, only 23 women (11.5%) were using a reliable method (pill or IUD) at the time of conception. 126 (63%) were relying on a less safe method (e.g., condoms, spermicides, rhythm) and 51 (25.5%) were not using any form of fertility control. 9 of the 16 pill users admitted irregular use; another 3 experienced vomiting or diarrhea at the time of conception, which may have compromised the method's effectiveness. Of the 116 condom users, 89 reported that the condom had broken or slipped off during intercourse or that use had been irregular. Concern about side effects was the most frequently cited reason for not using the pill or IUD; in many other cases, women had been advised by their physician to take a break from use of these methods. Overall, contraceptive failure was considered to have occurred in 43 cases (21.5%); the methods involved were IUD (7 cases), pill (4 cases), condoms (27 cases), and spermicides (5 cases). Recommended to reduce the high rate of contraceptive failure are counseling on proper method use and the alleviation of concern about side effects associated with the most effective methods.
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