title: Contraceptive discontinuation and non-use in Santarém, Brazilian Amazon.
abstract: In this paper we discuss the causes of non-adherence to reversible contraceptives, especially hormonal methods, among women in rural Santarém in the Brazilian Amazon. The analysis is based on questionnaires with 398 women and visits to health centers. We consider the motives reported by women who: never used contraception; used some method in the past; and who at the time of the survey were using a different method from the ones they used in the past. The results indicate a rejection of hormonal contraception and a preference for female sterilization, an option possibly influenced by the characteristics of health services in the region. The side effects of hormonal contraceptive use reported by part of the interviewees contribute to a generalized fear of the side effects even among women who have never used such methods. To improve women's health services in the Amazon, we recommend further studies of the relationship between reported side effects and available services and prescriptions, as well as an analysis of women's discourse and perceptions.
authors.affiliation: Anthropological Center for Research and Training on Global Environmental Change, Indiana, U.S.A. adantona@unicamp.br
authors.forename: Alvaro de Oliveira
authors.initials: Ade O
authors.lastname: D'Antona
authors.forename: Jessica Andrea
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Chelekis
authors.forename: Maria Fernanda Lirani de Toledo
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: D'Antona
authors.forename: Andrea Dalledone
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Siqueira
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D001938:Brazil; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003267:Contraception / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012424:Rural Population; D016387:Women's Health; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003276:Contraceptives, Oral