FOCUSING ON THE PREGNANCY TEST

Background. Due to high abortion rates in a low status area in Gotebor g, Sweden, a study was performed focused on the pregnancy test. Method and material. The aim of the study was to facilitate the accessibilit y of contraceptive counseling offering immediate and extended family p lanning advice to women with negative pregnancy tests not wishing to b ecome pregnant, There was also an ambition to better understand the la ck or inconsistent use of contraceptives and decrease the rate of unwa nted pregnancies, which could have an impact on the abortion rates. Re sults. In an area with 5,200 women of fertile age immediate and extend ed family planning advice was offered by midwives to all women with no desire for pregnancy and negative pregnancy test results. During the six month data collection period in 1988-1989, 463 women received such a consultation, of whom 310 did not use any contraceptives at the tim e of the study. Several reasons, on different explanatory levels, for not using contraception were recognized. Conclusion. The abortion rate declined in the area, and this decline was observed two years earlier than for the rest of Goteborg. This decline, together with the inform ation on contraception behavior received, may indicate that this kind of approach could be successful.