[Influence of the socioeconomic and cultural level on the use of contraceptive methods]. / Influencia del nivel socioeconómico y cultural en el uso de métodos anticonceptivos.

OBJECTIVE: a) To study the most commonly used Contraceptive Methods (CM) among the population group under survey and b) to analyse the influence of socio-economic (SEL) and educational levels (CL) on their use. DESIGN: Descriptive study of a crossover type by means of a survey. SETTING: Six general medical consulting rooms in two urban Health Centres. PATIENTS: The study was based on a representative sample of 384 women between 15 and 45 years old (a.i.) who attended for health-care for whatever reason. Interventions. A survey carried out by the family doctors in the consulting rooms, where information was gathered on both the CM used and several socio-demographic variables. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: For most couples, the most commonly used CM was the condom, whose use became greater as the SEL (p < 0.01) and EL (p < 0.0001) rose. Oral contraceptives were used more by women with a lower SEL (p = 0.01). Tubular ligature was more common among women with a lower educational level (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained from our sample by our methodology support our initial hypothesis in the sense that they show the influence of EL and SEL on the use of various contraceptive methods.

[Results and analysis of research on HBsAg in pregnant women at a health center over 4 years]. / Resultados y análisis de la investigación de AgHBs en las embarazadas de un centro de salud durante 4 años.

Vertical transmission of hepatitis B is the primary means of acquiring the disease by new carriers. The Cartuja Health Center performs systemic screening of pregnant women subjects as possible carriers. The purpose of the study is to determine the prevalence of pregnant carriers, seroepidemiological characteristics and intervention guidelines followed. We reviewed 454 pregnant women with serology performed between 1986 and 1989, including factors such as age, race, HBV serology, risk, and subsequent prevention. We calculated the prevalence of carriers. Moreover, we compared the proportion of Gypsy carriers versus non-carriers, and the prevalence of Gypsy versus Payos (non-Gypsy) carriers. Fourteen cases were AgBHs (+) (3.1%). There was no age difference between carriers and non-carriers. The proportion of Gypsy women in the carrier group was higher than in the non-carrier group (p less than 0.01), while the prevalence of carriers was also higher in Gypsy women than in pregnant women of Payo origin (p = 0.00082). Only one carrier had prior risk history. Of the 14 women with AgBHs (+), 13 gave birth; the recommended guidelines were followed in 9 cases. Routine screening for AgBHs in pregnant women is justified by the low sensitivity of the risk criteria, and the possibility for prevention.