ABSTRACT
PIP: A survey was conducted in a district of Porto Alegre, Brazil, among 197 families, i.e. about 10% of the 2000 families living there. Object of the survey was to investigate knowledge on available family planning services, and on contraceptive practices. There had been a total of 147 abortions; there were cases of abortion induced even 4 times for the same woman; the highest incidence was found among the less educated and the poorest, and in the age group 24-29 and 30-34. Most women were catholic, and most deliveries had taken place at home, with the assistance of a practical midwife only. Parity was always higher than the desired number of children. Although 94.4% of interviewed people knew of at least one contraceptive method, only 54.3% had sometimes used contraception. Only 11.2% knew of family planning services, but 74.1% declared to be willing to use the services provided. Such data clearly show that: 1) family planning is rarely practiced even in a large city; and, 2) the net of family planning clinics should be extended, and their services more widely advertised.^ieng
