[Characteristics of anticontraception methods used in São Paulo State, Brazil (correction)].
OBJECTIVE
To analyze data on contraceptive use in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, collected by the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) conducted in 1996.


METHODS
The study data were compared to 1986 DHS and 1996 data on the Brazilian population. Contraceptive use among married or cohabiting women was evaluated focusing on age, number of children, schooling, and age and timing of female sterilization. Statistical analysis was performed using Student t-test and Kendall's non-parametric test.


RESULTS
Unlike data on the Brazilian population, female sterilization rates were steady in the State of São Paulo during the studied period. The same contraceptive pattern is seen in both Brazil and São Paulo: women aged up to 30 years use largely pills; female sterilization predominates in women over 30, increasing with the number of children and decreasing with years of schooling. Male methods have also increased in recent years, being greater in São Paulo than in Brazil. São Paulo also shows a greater variety of reversible contraceptive methods.


CONCLUSIONS
Although there were some differences, the prevalence of only two contraceptive methods in both Brazil and São Paulo suggests a tendency regarding the contraceptive methods offered and in reproductive health in the view of new regulations on family planning.
Vieira
Elisabeth Meloni
EM
Departamento de Medicina Social, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil. bmeloni@fmrp.usp.br
Badiani
Rita
R
Dal Fabbro
Amaury Lélis
AL
Rodrigues
Antonio Luiz
AL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001938:Brazil; D003267:Contraception / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003272:Contraceptive Agents, Male / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D010298:Parity; D013245:Sterilization, Reproductive / Q000379:methods
D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D003272:Contraceptive Agents, Male; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral