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Abstract
This study examined characteristics of the contraceptive sponge that were important
in women's decisions to use the contraceptive sponge and reasons why women discontinued
sponge use. A sample of 385 current sponge users and 407 former sponge users participated
in a national telephone survey on sponge use. Important reasons for trying the sponge
were effectiveness, comfort, convenience and ease of use and it “would not interfere
with sexual pleasure.” The media and physicians were of considerable influence in
women's decisions to initiate sponge use, but sexual partners, friends, parents and
relatives exerted little influence. The most important reasons for discontinuing use
of the sponge were pregnancy, both planned and accidental, and irritation, discomfort
or vaginal infection. Women may decide to use the sponge because they have unrealistically
positive perceptions of sponge characteristics.
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
July 3,
1989
Received:
June 6,
1989
Identification
Copyright
© 1989 Published by Elsevier Inc.
