[Family planning. Current levels and trends in contraceptive use]. / Planificacion familiar. Niveles y tendencias recientes del uso de anticonceptivos.

PIP: The general law on population in Mexico has contributed to a noticeable increase in the use of contraceptives. In 1973 only 12% or 900,000 women practiced modern contraception, which increased to 30% by 1976 (with the inclusion of the rhythm and coitus interruptus methods), 47.7% by 1982, and 53% or 7 million couples by 1987. Business provided 70% of contraceptives in 1970, while by 1982 53.4% and by 1987 61.8% was provided by government. The most utilized method until 1982 was female sterilization, 35.5% (18.8% or 2.5 million had tubal ligation by 1987), IUDs 19.8%, pills 18.3%, the rhythm and coitus interruptus, 15.1%, respectively. 1/3 of the 35-39 and 40-44 age groups had tubal ligation and as did 1/4 of the 30-34 age group, as well as 12.6% and 3.3% of the 25-29 and 20-24 age groups, respectively. The surgical method was used by 46.4% of uneducated women and 23.9% with secondary or higher education. This seems to contradict the hypothesis that education is the motivating factor of in the use of contraception, although some kind of contraceptive was used by 70% of women with high school education vs. 23.5% of women with no education. In rural areas inhabited by less than 2500 people, 37.6% of women practiced contraception compared with 59% and 66% in the 3 largest metropolitan areas. The increase of contraceptive use was less in recent years than in the period 1976-1982, but about 20% of women do not want more children. The various methods of regulating fertility need to be evaluated because of increasing integration of segments of population previously excluded by geographical, cultural, and social barriers.^ieng

Anita: a Mayan peasant woman copes.

PIP: This is a case history of Anita, Mayan woman aged 38, who lives in the small village of Can Cun in the Yucatan, Mexico. She has had 10 pregnancies and 7 living children. She nearly died with her last birth. She has a good relationship with her children. She worked several jobs and sold illegal alcohol to put her son, Emiliano, through school. She is close with her married daughter, aged 17. She herself was married at 17. Because of previous bad pregnancies Anita would like to have no more children. Her husband, Demetrio was interested in a vasectomy but couldn't believe he would have the strength to work after the operation. He, like many Mayan men, practiced coitus interruptus and rhythm. When Anita finally went to the family planning clinic, under the auspices of the author, she chose oral contraceptives, but she never actually used them. Many Mayan women seldom get a period because they are always lactating. Some women would rather be pregnant then menstruating. The husband opposes schooling for his children because he needs them to help him work their crops of beans and corn. Sending children to school creates hardship because cash is needed for living expenses.^ieng

[Behavior of the male population with respect to family planning in Trujillo, Peru]. / Comportamiento de la población masculina con respecto a la planificación de la familia en Trujillo, Perú.

PIP: A survey was conducted among 500 men aged 15-55 in the city of Trujillo, Peru. The survey, done through questionnaires, was aimed at determining male attitudes on family planning, and knowledge about, and practice of, contraceptive methods. Results showed that 80% of men were in favor of family planning, and that the number of children desired was in inverse relation to educational level and socioeconomic status. 64.5% of men were in favor of contraception, but only 58.7% were prepared to use it. Of the 84.7% who knew about contraceptive methods, 80% knew of the condom, 50% and 44.2% of coitus interruptus and the rhythm method, respectively. Of the 66% males using contraception 32.7% were using the condom, and 28.6% the rhythm method. Of those who did not use contraception 36.2% did so for lack of information, 21.0% for fear of diseases, and 6.4% for religious reasons.^ieng

[Correlations of contraceptive behavior among unmarried North American university students]. / Correlaciones del comportamiento anticonceptivo entre universitarios Norteamericanos solteros.

PIP: In 1976 326 students, 149 men and 177 women, were asked to fill a questionnaire in 2 U.S. campuses to analyze interpersonal factors related to contraceptive practices. 86% of students were white, belonged to the middle class, and were of average age 19.6. The questionnaire carried questions related to demographic problems, personality, and sex behavior. Of 326 students, 113 were virgin, and 213 sexually active. Sexual activity tended to increase with age, with a notable acceleration between 16-25 for women, and 14-18 for men. About half of the participants stated not to have used contraception at their first sexual experience; for the others the methods used were coitus interruptus, or condom. In case of a lasting relationship the method used the first time was later changed for a more reliable one. Major predictors of contraceptive method were the frequency of sexual relations, the method used the first time, age, and knowledge of the physiology of reproduction. 77% of couples who lived together used the pill. Results showed that use of a reliable contraceptive method depended much more on the type of relationship, than on personality or characteristics of the individual.^ieng

[Attitude of the physician forwards anticonception]. / Actitud del médico ante la anticoncepción

PIP: A survey was conducted in Mexico City among 316 physicians working with the Mexican Institute of Social Security to investigate their attitudes toward fertility control. Most physicians were married with an average family size of 2.1, and with an average length of marriage of 8.4 years. 20% were pediatricians, 15% surgeons, 12% obstetricians; over 25% were nonpracticing catholics, 15% were practicing catholics, and almost 20% professed no religion. Over 80% of doctors had utilized or were utilizing a contraceptive method; 32% the pill, 15% the IUD, and 13% the rhythm method; previous use for the same methods was 38.2%, 3.2% and 18.5%, respectively. The temporal method most recommended was oral contraception, 42.4%, and the IUD, 36.9%; permanent methods recommended were male sterilization, 51.2%, and female sterilization, 25.3%. Married physicians were using or had used contraception more than unmarried physicians. 20.7% of practicing catholics were not using contraception as compared to 31% who were using the pill, and 24.2% who were using the rhythm method. Practicing catholic physicians were the ones that least recommended temporal or permanent contraception, with 9.1% and 15.4%, respectively. There were no significant differences either in use or in recommendation of contraception among the different medical specialties. All doctors were in favor of sexual sterilization for reasons of mental or physical health or for genetic reasons. Over 93% found contraception to be beneficial to the Mexican people for economic, social, and cultural reasons. The sample of doctors investigated cannot be considered as representative of the medical population of the nation.^ieng