Contraceptive use and the need for family planning in Puerto Rico
Herold, J.M.; Warren, C.W.; Smith, J.C.; Rochat, R.W.; Martinez, R.; Vera, M.
Family Planning Perspectives 18(4): 185-8 190-2
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0014-7354 PMID: 3792531 DOI: 10.2307/2135334Document Number: 473243
In 1982, 69% of Puerto Rican women in union were practicing contraception. 45% relied on contraceptive sterilization (40%, female, and 5%, male), 8% were using the pill, 4% each, the IUD and the condom. 5% relied on rhythm, and 3% were using other methods. Thus, sterilization is the dominant form of fertility regulation in Puerto Rico, and there is relatively little use of reversible methods for child spacing. Reliance on female sterilization peaks among women in union in the age-group 35-44 (54%), whereas pill use is highest among those aged 15-24 (approximately 23%). Overall, 8% of all women aged 15-49 are at risk of unintended pregnancy because they are fecund, sexually active, not pregnant or seeking pregnancy and not using any kind of contraceptive method. However, among women in union, this risk ranges from 9% among those aged 30-39 to 22% among women aged 15-19. Reliance on sterilization rather than reversible methods of contraception is strongly influenced by socio-demographic variables. Women with less than a high school education, the wives of blue-collar workers, women living outside of the major cities and those born in Puerto Rico depend upon sterilization more than do women with a college education, the wives of the white-collar employees, women living in cities and those born outside of the country. These findings point to the need for improved availability of reversible planning services, especially for young women, and those whose childbearing is incomplete.