Use of Oral Contraceptives: With Special Reference to Developing Countries
- Resource Type
- Authors
- W. Parker Mauldin; Gavin W. Jones
- Source
- Studies in Family Planning. 1:1
- Subject
- business.industry
Developing country
Discontinuation
Regimen
Continuation
Family planning
Pill
Medicine
Operations management
Parity (mathematics)
business
Developed country
Social Sciences (miscellaneous)
Demography
- Language
- ISSN
- 0039-3665
Statistics on the use of oral contraceptives (OCs) in the developing or developed countries are presented along with data on acceptance and continuation rates and problems in the interpretation of such data are discussed. By mid-1967 about 13 million were using OCs worldwide 22% of whom were living in the developing countries. However the increase in OC use in developing countries from 1965-1967 was almost 2 1/2 times higher than in developed countries. Pill acceptance can be measured in terms of primary acceptance continuing acceptance and current acceptance. Termination rates are often deceptive since categorical descriptions for discontinuation are often not pill-related. The disparity in study variables and procedures also makes it difficult to interpret continuation rates. Continuation rates tend to be higher in developed countires while studies in Taiwan Korea and the United States indicate that termination rates of OCs are higher than those for IUDs during the early months of use. Continuation rates for OCs appear to be postively associated with the level of education although no clear generalizations emerge in regard to other acceptor characteristics. Side effects are a major reason for the discontinuation for OCs. The initiation of OC programs in Taiwan and Korea did not effect IUD acceptance during the early months of the program. Acceptance and continuation of OCs increase with a decrease in price and the competition from the IUD decreases. Further studies are needed to examine the effect of age parity education previous contraception price of OC pills type of pill regimen and the method of promotion and follow-up.