Is users' knowledge about contraceptives adequate? A case study of Finnish IUD users.
Intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUDs) are popular: in Finland, in 1987, about 25% of women of childbearing age used them. We studied Finnish women's knowledge about contraindications for and side-effects of IUD use, with emphasis on current users. In December 1987-January 1988, a postal questionnaire was sent to a random sample of 1000 women of childbearing age, in Uusimaa province, which includes the capital, Helsinki. After three reminders, the response rate was 84%. We compared the answers of current and past users and nonusers of IUDs, and analyzed the associations between IUD use, education, age, and knowledge about side-effects. In contrast to the recommendations for use and information to be given to the contraceptive users, a substantial proportion of current IUD users assumed there are few limitations for IUD use. Some side-effects possibly leading to severe consequences were not considered to be connected with IUD use, not even by users. Although risk of infection was a quite well known fact, infertility was seldom associated with IUD use, and 22% of current IUD users did not associate ectopic pregnancy with IUDs. The results thus suggest that contraceptive counseling is not fully adequate and should receive more attention.
Makkonen
K
K
Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Finland.
Hemminki
E
E
Uutela
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007434:Intrauterine Devices / Q000009:adverse effects; D008393:Marriage; D010298:Parity