A survey of the contraceptive use and attitude of 1,131 Korean women

Lee, Im Soon; Lee, Yun Hee; Chung, Jib Kwang; Lee, Seok Min; Lee, Hae Hyeog; Lee, Jeong Jae

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
We conducted a research into the current method of contraception used by Korean women (1,130 were surveyed) in order to understand about any problems they may be experiencing and their levels of satisfaction. Our objective is to be able to suggest appropriate methods of contraception which are desired by Korean women. METHOD: We gave questionnaire to reproductive age women who visited Soonchunhyang University Hospital in Seoul from January 2000 to October 2001. Items of the survey contained general characteristics such as, the method of contraception, side effect (if any), and level of satisfaction.
RESULTS
The mean age was 35.1+/-5.9 years and the most common occupation was that of housewife (68%), the mean parity was 1.7+/-1.1, and the mean abortion was 0.8+/-1.5. The mean contraception period was 4.6+/-4.9 years, of the methods used, condoms were the most common (29.0%), followed by intrauterine device (21.1%), tubal sterilization (13.5%), oral contraceptive (12.2%), periodic abstinence (9.3%), vasectomy (7.9%), coitus interruptus (6.4%) and others (12.4%). Among women above 41 years of age, sterilization was the most common method. Condom and oral contraceptives were the most common methods among women under the 40 years of age. The side effects, menorrhagia and leukorrhea were the most common among the women who had used the method of contraception with inrauterine divice. Tubal sterilization and vasectomy gave the most satisfaction.
CONCLUSION
The most common used contraceptive method among Korean reproductive age women was the condom. We found that the form of contraception has been changing from permanent method to a temporary one. Therefore the education for women in the use of condom, oral contraceptives, and intrauterine device should be completed as soon as possible.