Use of contraceptive methods and risk of unwanted pregnancy in Spanish women aged 40–50 years: results of a survey conducted in Spain

A survey intended to ascertain the rate of use and type of contraceptive methods applied by Spanish women aged 40 to 50 years, and to determine the proportion of women in this group at risk of an unwanted pregnancy, was designed and validated. To achieve representative national results for the study population, it was estimated that a sample size of 2000 women was required. Women were selected using probabilistic, stratified random sampling. The survey questionnaire was prepared by the research group with the collaboration of experts in the conduct of population studies of this type. Participants were interviewed face to face by qualified and trained staff from a specialised company external to the research group. Overall, 1039 women (52%) resorted to some contraceptive method, of which (male or female) sterilisation was the most common. We estimate that in Spain there are 840,000 women (31.8%) aged 40 to 50 years at risk of unwanted pregnancy.

Contraceptive practices and trends in Spain: 1997-2003

OBJECTIVE

To know the contraceptive use and trends in the Spanish female population.

STUDY DESIGN

Since 1997, we have conducted a survey every 2 years on the use of contraceptive methods among a representative sample of Spanish women of childbearing potential (15-49 years).

RESULTS

In the period 1997-2003, the percentage of use of contraceptive methods in Spain rose from 55.6% to 71.2%. The most commonly used method was the condom (21% in 1997, 21.9% in 1999, 29.5% in 2001 and 35.7% in 2003), followed by the contraceptive pill (14.2%, 16.5%, 19.2% and 18.3%, respectively). Male or female sterilization remained stable with percentages of use of 5-7%. IUDs are used by about 5% of women.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of contraceptive methods among Spanish women of childbearing potential generally fits quite well the patterns found in other developed countries, and we observed a trend towards increased use of effective methods.

Contraception in the Spanish press: an analysis of the 1997-2002 period

OBJECTIVE

Based on the hypothesis that the media represent an important source of information about contraceptive methods and sexuality, this paper reviews the news items about contraception published by four important Spanish newspapers and four women's magazines.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All news items appearing from January 1, 1997 to December 31, 2002 in the following publications: El País, El Mundo, ABC, La Vanguardia, Mía, Clara, Ragazza, and Epoca were collected during the first 6 months of 2003. Results Seven hundred and ten news items about contraception were identified during the period analysed, of which 117 (16.5%) had a negative character.

CONCLUSIONS

Over 80% of news items appearing in the Spanish press in the 1997-2002 period give a positive information about contraceptive methods.

Spanish population at risk of unwanted pregnancy: results of a national survey

OBJECTIVE

We performed a personal survey in 2218 Spanish women aged from 15 to 49 years to establish the contraceptive methods used by this population and to determine the number of Spanish women of childbearing age exposed to unwanted pregnancy.

METHODS

Stratified random sampling was performed to select the women to be interviewed; this sampling design ensured adequate representation of the sample in Spain.

RESULTS

At the time of the survey, 69.1% of the women were using some contraceptive method, but 5% of them used poorly effective contraceptive methods, and their exposure to the risk of an unwanted pregnancy was therefore high. Moreover, among the 30.9% not using any contraceptive method, 21.1% were at risk because they were having sexual intercourse, did not want to become pregnant and did not use a contraceptive method.

CONCLUSIONS

A little over one million Spanish women are exposed to the risk of having an unwanted pregnancy. Compiling the data on this significant problem is the first step in designing appropriate solutions.

Use of contraceptive methods in Spain: results of a national survey☆

We conducted a personal interview of 2136 Spanish women aged 15 to 49 years with the aim of determining the contraceptive attitudes of this population. A stratified random sampling was performed to select the women who were to be interviewed, and this sampling design ensured adequate representation of the sample in Spain. At the time of the survey, only 1296 of the 2136 women used some type of contraceptive method (60.6%); the most commonly used method was the condom. The major reason given by the 840 women not using contraceptive methods was the absence of sexual intercourse. Nearly 25% of the Spanish women aged 15-49 years reported that they have no sexual relations.

[Sexuality and pregnancy]

OBJECTIVE

We intend to describe the sexual behaviour of pregnancies women.

LOCATION

Family Planning Center Nóvoa Santos, of Galician Health Service (SERGAS), of Ourense (SPAIN).

POPULATION

206 pregnancies women that are attended in a obstetric psychoprophylaxis's programme, during two years (January/93-January/95).

MEASUREMENT

We analysed the social economic, of reproduction, of medical attention and psycho-sexual variables. We use the PRESTA and SPSS statistics programmes.

RESULTS

The average age is 28 years old, is married, has elementary studies and this is the first pregnancy. Her pregnancy is desire and normally developed. Her sexual desire and intercourse frequency is the same (1-2 per week); the intercourse is pleasant and the more habitual position is she over. Some times, the couple has relations without coitus and she practises the masturbation, and she enjoy of this practice.

CONCLUSION

The pregnancies women have different sexual behaviours. They are satisfied with all them. The health' professional should favour the complete enjoy of the sexuality during the pregnancy.

[The use and effects of postcoital contraception]

OBJECTIVES

To find those people seeking post-coital contraception (PCC), its efficacy and effects.

DESIGN

A crossover study using a structured questionnaire, filled in both at the moment of demand and after using PCC.

SETTING

The "Nóvoa Santos" Family Planning Centre in Ourense.

PARTICIPANTS

All those requesting PCC between January 1995 and June 1996 (220 in all).

INTERVENTIONS

The PCC norm was 8 pills, two taken every 12 hours, of 0.05 mg of Ethinyloestradiol (EE) plus 0.5 mg of Norgestrel.

MEASURES AND MAIN RESULTS

We analysed social and demographic variables, sexual behaviour and PCC use with the SPSS programme for Windows. 96.4% attending were women, average age 21.98. They began coitus at 18.58 years old. 191 (86.8%) had a stable partner and 0 to 3 coitus per week. The condom was the commonest method (90.6%).

CONCLUSIONS

Young women requesting PCC immediately after the risk coitus are students and residents in the city. It is a method used when there are problems with the condom and the frequency of failure is low. Sexually active people should be informed of the existence and use of PCC, as should the health professionals who could be asked for it.