Trends in the use of contraceptive methods and voluntary interruption of pregnancy in the Spanish population during 1997-2007.
BACKGROUND
This study was designed to acquire information about the use of contraceptive methods in order to reduce the number of elective abortions.


METHODS
Since 1997, representative samples of Spanish women of childbearing potential (15-49 years) have been surveyed by the Daphne Team every 2 years to gather data of contraceptive methods used.


RESULTS
During the study period, 1997 to 2007, the overall use of contraceptive methods increased from 49.1% to 79.9%. The most commonly used method was the condom (an increase from 21% to 38.8%), followed by the pill (an increase from 14.2% to 20.3%). Female sterilization and IUDs decreased slightly and were used by less than 5% of women in 2007. The elective abortion rate increased from 5.52 to 11.49 per 1000 women.


CONCLUSIONS
The factors responsible for the increased rate of elective abortion need further investigation.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, E-41009 Sevilla, Spain. jlduenas@us.es
José Luis
JL
Dueñas
Iñaki
I
Lete
Rafael
R
Bermejo
Agnès
A
Arbat
Ezequiel
E
Pérez-Campos
Javier
J
Martínez-Salmeán
Isabel
I
Serrano
José Luis
JL
Doval
Carme
C
Coll
D000029:Abortion, Legal / Q000639:trends*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003267:Contraception / Q000639:trends*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult