Contraceptive methods and use by women aged 35 and over: A qualitative study of perspectives

BMC Women's Health

Research Article

Stephen L Fielding¹  Ann Dozier²  Nancy P Chin²  Emily M Godfrey³  Kevin Fiscella⁴ 

[1] Department of Clinical & Social Sciences in Psychology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA;Department of Community and Preventive Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA;Department of Family Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine and Community Health Sciences, University of Illinois School of Public Health, Chicago, IL, USA;Department of Family Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA;

关键词: Birth Control;    Contraceptive Method;    Unintended Pregnancy;    Oral Contraceptive Pill;    Unplanned Pregnancy;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1472-6874-11-5

 received in 2010-06-01, accepted in 2011-02-16,  发布年份 2011

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundMore than 30% of the pregnancies in women aged 35 and over are unintended. This paper compares perceptions about contraceptive methods and use among women with and without an unintended pregnancy after turning age 35.MethodsSemi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with 17 women. They were all 35 to 49 years old, regularly menstruating, sexually active, not sterilized, not desiring a pregnancy in the near future, and at least 3 months postpartum. We purposely sampled for women who had had at least one unintended pregnancy after age 35 (n = 9) and women who did not (n = 8). We assessed partnership, views of pregnancy and motherhood, desired lifestyle, perceived advantages and disadvantages of using and obtaining currently available well-known reversible contraceptives in the U.S. ''We also assessed contraceptive methods used at any time during their reproductive years, including current method use and, if appropriate, circumstances surrounding an unintended pregnancy after age 35.'' Each interview was taped and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using Grounded Theory. Analysis focused on partnership, views of pregnancy, motherhood, desired lifestyle and perceived advantages and disadvantages of various reversible contraceptive methods.ResultsThe women without an unintended pregnancy after age 35 were more likely to (1) use contraceptive methods that helped treat a medical condition, (2) consider pregnancy as dangerous, or (3) express concerns about the responsibilities of motherhood. The women who experienced an unintended pregnancy after age 35 were more likely to (1) report unstable partnerships, (2) perceive themselves at lower risk of pregnancy, or (3) report past experiences with unwanted contraceptive side effects. There was a greater likelihood a woman would choose a contraceptive method if it was perceived as easy to use, accessible, affordable and had minimal side effects.ConclusionsWomen's perspective on contraceptive use after age 35 varies. Public health messages and health providers' care can help women in this age group by reviewing their fertility risks, as well as all contraceptive methods and their associated side effects. The impact of such interventions on unintended pregnancy rates in this age group should be tested in other areas of evidence-based medicine.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Godfrey et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2011