Continuation and effectiveness of contraceptive practice: a cross-sectional approach
Laing, J.E.
Studies in Family Planning 16(3): 138-153
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0039-3665 PMID: 3874451 DOI: 10.2307/1967016Document Number: 414416
Conventional methods for the study of fertility effects of contraceptive practice include direct or retrospective analyses of records from family planning centers. The authors suggest an alternative method, a cross-sectional approach based on data from surveys of married reproductive age women. The advantage is the ability to follow methods and efficacy of fertility regulation control for those contraceptive users not affiliated with a family planning program. In short, this offers an approach to study contraceptive continuation and effectiveness. The result is information on average continuation rates and effectiveness levels which can be more helpful in planning future programs. Data was collected from 1320 interviews conducted during the 1980 Community Outreach Survey. Those interviewed were married and lived in areas serviced by volunteer workers of the National Family Planning Outreach Project of the Philippine Commission on Population (POPCOM), thus presenting a rural representation of the Philippines. Analyzing reversible contraceptive methods showed the IUD in 1st place for continuation rates and effectiveness while the condom was in last place. Failure rates were unusually high for pills and condoms, suggesting a decline in effectiveness for nonprogram users. Nonprogram users preferred the natural methods of abstinence, withdrawal, and the rhythym method. All of these were used more extensively and successfully than were condoms, suggesting a benefit in promoting these methods for women resistant to contraception. Further analysis revealed positive correlations between continuation and desire to avoid childbearing, socioeconomic status, urbanization of place of residence, exposure to clinics and contraceptive information, family planning knowledge and experience, and spousal support. Contraceptive effectiveness was most strongly linked to exposure to family planning information. The authors conclude that contraceptive effectiveness is more reliable as an indicator of relative effectiveness than the conventional Pearl Pregnancy rates.