Study on the factors associated with contraceptive discontinuations in Bangkok.

Detailed information was collected from 666 cohorts of pill, injectable-DMPA and IUD acceptors at 14 Bangkok Metropolis Health Clinics (MHCs). The contraceptive status at 12-month follow-up home interview shows that 47% of pill acceptors, 39% of DMPA acceptors and 55% of IUD acceptors were still using the same contraceptive method and receiving them from the original source. The women who initially adopted the pill could seek the oral contraceptive from other sources with a higher significant percentage (14%) than was found in the DMPA and IUD group. The DMPA group revealed the lowest percent of using same method and same source but higher rate of clinic switch (15%), including method and clinic switch (18%), than the pill and IUD acceptors. The women who adopted the pill had stopped using any contraceptive method with the highest percentage (31%). The main reason for method switch among the three contraceptive acceptors was disagreeable health effects; 50% of pill acceptors, 75% for DMPA acceptors and 49% for IUD acceptors. Another important reason for IUD switch was a 32% expulsion of IUD. Those who switched clinic gave the three important reasons of distance inconvenience, opening hour inconvenience and disagreeable health effects. Service-related factors are likely to play a less important role in determining discontinuation of the pill and DMPA, while the reasons on doctors objecting to removing the IUD appear to be the major service-related factor in discontinuation of IUD (19%). The decision to stop using any contraceptive appeared to be related to dissatisfaction with the method and side effects was the primary reason and the secondary reason was that they wanted another child.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Reasons for discontinuing contraception among women in Bangkok.

PIP: In an attempt to investigate in detail clients' reasons for discontinuing use of a particular contraceptive, a study was undertaken to develop and test a system of classification that would allow precise categorization of individuals in the study and to ascertain detailed medical and social reasons for discontinuing contraception. A total of 666 women, who had accepted a family planning method from 1 of 14 health clinics administered by the Bangkok Metropolitan Health Authority over a 6-month period in 1977, were traced and interviewed 1 year later. Of these, 46% were still using their initial method of contraception and their original supply source. A further 29% had changed either their method or their source of supply or both, and 26% were not using any contraception. The most frequent reason given for discontinuation referred to medical side effects; the 2nd most frequent reason was the woman's feeling that she had no need for contraception. However, the study indicated that preconceived ideas of a contraceptive method, rather than the side effects experienced, may play a leading role in determining whether the method will continue to be used. (author's modified)^ieng