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Abstract
In order to update current knowledge on contraceptive use and attitudes in Great Britain
(i.e. England, Scotland and Wales), a survey was conducted among 1753 randomly selected
British women aged 15–45. Replies were received from 967 women (55.2%). Seventy-three
percent (73%) of fertile, sexually active women who wished to avoid pregnancy were
using reliable methods of contraception, viz. oral contraceptives (OCs), intrauterine
devices (IUDs) or sterilization.
However, it was found that adolescents and women over 40 who wished to avoid pregnancy
were, nevertheless, especially likely not to be using any contraceptive method at
all. The women surveyed were concerned about weight gain, cardiovascular and cancer
risks associated with OC use, and infection and infertility risks associated with
IUD use. Sixty percent (60%) perceived sterilization as a major and risky surgical
operation. It was concluded that contraceptive practice in Britain had not improved
greatly in recent years. The latest scientific findings regarding the true advantages
and disadvantages of OCs, IUDs and sterilization, therefore, need to be brought to
the attention of the lay public more effectively. Special efforts need to be directed
towards providing adolescents and women over 40 with proper information. Physicians
and the mass media could play a considerable role in this respect.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
December 2,
1993
Received:
June 30,
1993
Identification
Copyright
© 1994 Published by Elsevier Inc.
