Contraceptive Behaviour in Swedish Women -a Follow-Up Study

Abstract

Factors related to the choice of contraceptive methods were studied in a randomly selected sample of Swedish women. The women were investigated by semi-structured interviews during their first pregnancy, 4 months post partum and in a follow-up study also including their partner 4.5 years later. The women were asked about their method of contraception before their first pregnancy, 4 months post partum and in the follow-up study. An insecure method of contraception before the first pregnancy was related to young age, early coital debut, poor sexual functioning, low educational level, a strained social situation, broken partner relationship and unplanned pregnancy. Insecure methods, however, were extremely uncommon after the first pregnancy. Also, female methods were related to good sexual adjustment 4 months post partum and in the follow-up study. Only when the woman's relationship to her partner was poor, non-female methods were used.