title: [Knowledge about contraceptives in a population 15 years or older in a southern Brazilian city].
abstract: In Brazil, prevalence of contraceptive use is high, but incorrect and inappropriate use is frequent, suggesting limited knowledge about methods. This study thus evaluated the knowledge about the most widely used contraceptive methods, measured through a score (0-10) and related factors. A population-based cross-sectional study was performed, with 3,542 subjects ages 15 or older, residing in the urban area of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul State. The mean overall knowledge score was 4.65 (sd = 2.07): 5.02 (sd = 2.10) for women and 4.18 (sd = 1.92) for men. Lower age, higher schooling, a report of unwanted pregnancy, and any lifetime use of contraceptive methods (exclusive or combined) were associated with higher knowledge scores among men, while for women, the determinants of higher knowledge were higher age, living with a partner, higher schooling, higher socioeconomic status, not reporting a religion, and any lifetime use of contraceptive methods (exclusive or combined). Despite high prevalence of any lifetime contraceptive use (75.3%), knowledge is still limited about the most widely used methods, as well as about the menstrual cycle and fertile period.
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-graduação em Epidemiologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Brasil. vpvieira@terra.com.br
authors.forename: Vera Maria Vieira
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Paniz
authors.forename: Anaclaudia Gastal
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Fassa
authors.forename: Marcelo Cozzensa
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: da Silva
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D003267:Contraception / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population