AN ANALYSIS OF THE PERSONAL REASONS FOR DISCONTINUING IUD USE

The objective of this study was to evaluate possible factors associate d with discontinuing use of TCu 380A IUDs due to personal reasons amon g 2748 users. Overall, a total of 88 subjects discontinued using the T Cu 380A IUD within 12 months postinsertion for personal reasons. The m ost common reasons were planned pregnancy (32%) and husband or family opinion against IUD use (26%). The gross cumulative 12-month life tabl e discontinuation rate for all personal reasons was 4.0 per 100 women. Having no education and/or living in a rural area were the sociodemog raphic characteristics associated with an increased risk of discontinu ation for personal reasons. Effective and regular counseling about IUD use, especially among illiterate women, may help prevent IUD disconti nuations related to personal reasons.