CONTRACEPTIVE USE AND ATTITUDES IN GREAT-BRITAIN

In order to update current knowledge on contraceptive use and attitude s in Great Britain (i.e. England, Scotland and Wales), a survey was co nducted among 1753 randomly selected British women aged 15-45. Replies were received from 917 women (55.2%). Seventy-three percent (73%) of fertile, sexually active women who wished to avoid pregnancy were usin g reliable methods of contraception, viz. oral contraceptives (OCs), i ntrauterine devices (IUDs) or sterilization. However, it was found tha t adolescents and women over 40 who wished to avoid pregnancy were, ne vertheless, especially likely not to be using any contraceptive method at all. The women surveyed were concerned a bout weight gain, cardiov ascular and cancer risks associated with OC use, and infection and inf ertility risks associated with IUD use. Sixty percent (60%) perceived sterilization as a major and risky surgical operation. It was conclude d that contraceptive practice in Britain had not improved greatly in r ecent years. The latest scientific findings regarding the true advanta ges and disadvantages of OCs, IUDs and sterilization, therefore, need to be brought to the attention of the lay public more effectively. Spe cial efforts need to be directed towards providing adolescents and wom en over 40 with proper information. Physicians and the mass media coul d play a considerable role in this respect.