Women's contraceptive attitudes and use in 1992
Forrest, J.D.; Fordyce, R.R.
Family Planning Perspectives 25(4): 175-179
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0014-7354 PMID: 8405344 DOI: 10.2307/2135926Document Number: 327715
The Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation conducted a nationwide survey of sexual behavior and contraceptive use among 6955 15-44 year old women in 1992. The respondents tended to be white and to have incomes less than $50,000. Researchers compared its data with data from the 1987 Ortho Birth Control Study, The proportion of single women at risk of unintended pregnancy increased from 63% to 74% between 1987 and 1992 as a result of increased sexual activity (e.g., 76% in 1987 had had intercourse vs. 86% in 1992). Single women increased their use of contraceptives in this period (86-92%) which counterbalanced the increases in sexual activity and the risk of unintended pregnancy among single women. The risk of unintended pregnancy essentially remained the same for married women (78% in 1987 and 79% in 1992). Overall contraceptive use increased from 92% to 94%. In 1992, the most popular methods included oral contraceptives (OCs) (39%), condoms (25%), female sterilization (19%), and vasectomy (12%). In 1992, women had a tendency to use user-controlled, reversible methods more often than they did in 1987. For example, condom use increased from 17% to 25% among all users, especially among unmarried women (18-33%), between 1987 and 1992, while OC use increased from 32%-39%. Sexually active married women were more likely to depend on sterilization (48%) whereas single women were more likely to depend on OCs (52%) and condoms (33%). In 1992, 74-84% of respondents had a favorable opinion of female sterilization (74%), condoms (76%), vasectomy (79%), and OCs (84%). 40% of single, condom users and 13% of married, condom user also used another method.