Two measures of nurses' attitudes toward abortion as modified by experience.

Random samples of nurses in two states which differed in abortion statues were sent questionnaires. Content areas included experience with 12 specific nursing activities associated with abortion, willingness to participate in the same activities, and extent of agreement with statements related to abortion. Attitudes toward abortion were inferred from the willingness-to-participate items and from the agreement section. These two measures correlated highly suggesting a common underlying dimension. However, the two samples differed significantly in extent of agreement but did not differ in willingness to participate. These results were interpreted as supporting the position that attitudes derived from items using situational contexts might bear a better relationship to behavior. The findings also suggest that abortion facilities can probably be staffed without violating personal preferences since so many expressed willingness to participate in at least some of the activities. Comparison across the two samples suggest that increased experience or even the potential for experience with abortion patients tended to increase the favorableness of attitudes toward this issue.

Vasectomy: who gets one and why?

PIP: This study of 173 men who received vasectomies from one urologist shows the male seeking a vasectomy from this clinic is white, middle class, well educated, married once, median age of 36, and with 2 to 3 children. Three quarters of the men had used the condom and found it bothersome. The same number had also used the pill and various other methods of contraception without satisfaction. Other studies have shown economic reasons as the main factor leading to vasectomy whereas this one revealed freedom from anxiety about possible conception and sexual pleasure as the primary reasons. The concern for sexual freedom is considered characteristic of our present culture and probably closely associated with the pill itself. Since the pill is not related as closely with the sex act as other methods of contraception it has given couples the freedom to enjoy sex. Since the late 1960s when the media began publishing the side effects from the pill our society has been seeking a replacement method that will allow that freedom to remain. This group will continue to be followed along with other planned studies, to see if their contraceptive vasectomy has made any changes in their lives.^ieng