Resumen : The aim was to study the contraceptive patterns among men and women in León, Nicaragua. The predominance of female sterilization and the occasional condom use - mainly reported by men - reflects a situation of relative male control over contraceptive and reproduction. This probably originates from "machista" values where men having many children with different women are considered strong. There was also a significantlyhigher use of contraceptives among the better-off women and men compared with the extremely poor. The situation of many poor women, in a country with limited contraceptive services, is worrying considering that abortion is illegal and the threat of HIV epidemic is growing. The situation for adolescents is particularly problematic with low experience in contraceptive use (AU).
Notes : Inglés/anglais/English