Contraception and the effectiveness of the ovulation method in India
Mascarenhas, M.M.; Lobo, A.; Ramesh, A.S.
Tropical Doctor 9(4): 209-211
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0049-4755 PMID: 516148 DOI: 10.1177/004947557900900432Document Number: 391342
The Billings Ovulation Method was studied in India -- a method whereby a woman observes, records, and interprets her physiological sensations and symptoms during her menstrual cycle and thus is aware of the periods of her fertility or otherwise. The basis of the study was the evaluation of 3530 acceptors over the January 1975 through December 1977 period. The Centers participating in the study were located in several states of India, giving a varied picture of all cultures and socioeconomic classes. Evaluation of the program was carried out through aggregate and average woman months of use, net cumulative continuation rates and Pearl's pregnancy rates/life table pregnancy rates. 499 of the 3530 women discontinued the method at various points. The aggregate woman months of use was found to be 39,967 yielding an average of 11.3 months per woman. At the end of the 6th month, the continuation rate was 88.5, and at the cut-off point 80% of the women were continuing in the program. There were 176 pregnancies among the acceptors of this method during the study period. The Pearl's pregnancy rate was found to be 5.3 for all pregnancies. The life table pregnancy rate was found to be 5.7 at the end of 1 year.