Résumé : 907 women aged 13-34 living in the most populated municipio of Havana were surveyed in 1993 and 1994 to determine the prevalence, differentials, effectiveness, and factors relating to abandonment of contraceptive methods. 314 women underwent gynecological examinations and 294 were interviewed about gynecological conditions. 385 of their male partners were interviewed. 4.3% of the women were under age 20. Only 7.4% had no more than primary education. 60.2% were economically active, the majority as professionals or technicians. Half were married and 5.1% had never been in union. 25.9% had no children. 69.9% used contraception, with IUDs accounting for more than 60% of total prevalence. The high contraceptive prevalence rates and predominance of IUD and pills are results similar to those of other studies in Cuba. The results clearly indicate difficulties in contraceptive usage due to resource and financial constraints that limit quality and choice of methods. The low efficacy and high abandonment rate of the IUD and pills indicate problems in the availability of other methods. Large numbers of women used contraceptive methods inappropriate to their marital circumstances or stage of life, especially women without regular sexual partners who used IUDs because no other method was available. Women who adopted measures to control pregnancy from the initiation of their sexual lives had less frequent resort to abortion, less need to change methods, and lower fertility. Lower genital tract infections were a common problem aggravated by use of contraceptive methods offering no protection. Health problems and method failures are factors negatively affecting contraceptive usage. The majority of men surveyed expressed positive attitudes to contraception and abortion, but in practice the responsibility for family planning is assumed by women.
Notes : Español/espagnol/Spanish, nbsp;Abstract : Popline (http://db.jhuccp.org/popinform/basic.html) - PIP 159708