Trends in the use of contraceptive methods and voluntary interruption of pregnancy in the Spanish population during 1997–2007

doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2010.05.010

Contraception

Volume 83, Issue 1, January 2011, Pages 82-87

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.contraception.2010.05.010 Get rights and content

Abstract

Background

This study was designed to acquire information about the use of contraceptive methods in order to reduce the number of elective abortions.

Study Design

Since 1997, representative samples of Spanish women of childbearing potential (15–49 years) have been surveyed by the Daphne Team every 2 years to gather data of contraceptive methods used.

Results

During the study period, 1997 to 2007, the overall use of contraceptive methods increased from 49.1% to 79.9%. The most commonly used method was the condom (an increase from 21% to 38.8%), followed by the pill (an increase from 14.2% to 20.3%). Female sterilization and IUDs decreased slightly and were used by less than 5% of women in 2007. The elective abortion rate increased from 5.52 to 11.49 per 1000 women.

Conclusions

The factors responsible for the increased rate of elective abortion need further investigation.

Introduction

Approved legislations related to the use of effective contraceptive methods adopted by some developed countries have been effective to decrease the number of voluntary terminations of pregnancy.

Since 1997, we have conducted biannual national surveys on the use of contraceptive methods by Spanish women between the ages of 15 and 49 years. Information on contraceptive practices for the period 1997–2003 and for the year 1999 has been reported [1], [2]. The important economic and social changes that Spain has undergone in the last decade, largely due to the immigration phenomenon, warrant a detailed analysis of changing trends in contraception and their potential relationship with the number of elective abortions over this time span. The objective of this study was to assess the changes in the use of contraceptive methods and elective abortion interruption from 1997 to 2007.

Section snippets

Materials and methods

During the period of April 1997 to April 2007, a biannual national survey was conducted among Spanish women of childbearing potential (15–49 years) relative to their use of contraceptive methods. Participants were personally interviewed at home and completed a simple questionnaire, specifically designed for the purpose of the study.

Results

Distribution of the sample based on the stratification variables is shown in Table 2. In 1997, 49.1% of women of childbearing potential (15–49 years) used some type of contraceptive method, whereas in 2007, the percentage of women of childbearing potential (15–49 years) using contraceptive methods increased to 79.9%. Although this increase was noted in all age groups, the greatest change was observed in the youngest age stratum (15−19 years) (an increase from 19.9% to 60%) (Fig. 1).

As shown in

Discussion

The Spanish population experienced an increase of 13.4% over the study period 1997–2007. The largest increase was due to the number of immigrants, which in the case of immigrant women of childbearing potential rose from 190,840 to 1,474,461, respectively [3]. During that period, a twofold increase in the gross domestic product (GDP) and GDP nominal per capita was observed [3]. The birth rate also showed an increase of 1.2 per 1000 women of reproductive age (15–49 years) in 2007. The rate of

Acknowledgments

We thank Marta Pulido, M.D., for editing the manuscript and for editorial assistance.

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^☆: Funding: This study was conducted with an educational grant from Bayer Schering Pharma.

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Original research articleTrends in the use of contraceptive methods and voluntary interruption of pregnancy in the Spanish population during 1997–2007☆

Abstract

Background

Study Design

Results

Conclusions

Introduction

Section snippets

Materials and methods

Results

Discussion

Acknowledgments

Contraception

Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol

Gobierno de España

Reasons for not using family planning methods in Eastern Turkey

Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care

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Stud Fam Plann

Condom use, contraceptive methods, and religiosity among youths of low socioeconomic level

Spanish J Psychol

Contraceptive practices and intentions of Ukrainian women

Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care

Original research article
Trends in the use of contraceptive methods and voluntary interruption of pregnancy in the Spanish population during 1997–2007☆