[Acceptability factors of natural methods of birth regulation: the inscription and instruction phases]. / Factores de aceptabilidad de los métodos naturales de regulación de la natalidad: fases de inscripción e instrucción.

PIP: This work describes a study of factors determining the acceptability of the ovulation method of family planning conducted at the Natural Methods Clinic of the University of Chile Hospital's Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Persons desiring instruction concerning natural family planning complete a questionnaire, hear an introductory talk which stresses the Billings method, and receive personal instruction in modular units. Multiple factors were studied for both acceptance of registration and acceptance of the course. Entrance into the course constituted acceptance of registration, and achievement of the status of dependent users constituted acceptance of the instruction phase. 147 of the 224 couples registering in the natural family planning clinic between November 1981-August 1983 began the course of instruction, and 96 subsequently adopted the method. 42.9% of the original 224 couples thus became dependent users. A significantly positive statistical association with registration was found for 73 factors. 4 separate elements of acceptability were measured: predictive value, acceptability rate, sensitivity, and frequency. The ideal factors in terms of acceptability would have positive values on all 4 dimensions nearing 100%. The most important factors identified in the study in the phase of registration and their measures for predictive value, frequency, sensitivity, and rate of acceptability respectively were: both partners shared the decision to try the method (71%, 75%, 90%, and 53%), the method is not harmful (71%, 75%, 90%, and 53%), the male understands the basics of the method (71%, 73%, 89%, and 52%), the woman understood the functioning of natural methods (70%, 57%, 66%, and 40%). All the above factors are modifiable through information and education. Statistically significant associations were found for only 16 factors in the phase of instruction. The most important factors were that both partners had previous knowledge of the method and had no prior experience with the IUD. The predictive power of the acceptability factors varied from 17%-80% for the registration phase and from 38%-81% for the instruction phase.^ieng