The related factors of pregnant women's acceptance of natural family planning in a certain area

Kwon, Hye Ryoung; kim, Yong Chul; Jun, Jae Woo; Park, Eun Sook

Abstract

BACKGROUND
It is reported that approximately 10.7% of Korean reproductive women use rhythm method to avoid pregnancy, which is higher in comparison to other countries. However, few surveys on practicing natural family planning methods have been done and awareness of it is also very(low). Our study examined women's interest and related factors in using natural family planning either to become pregnant or to avoid it.
METHODS
A questionnaire was given to 1,700 women, ages 18 to 50, who visited general hospitals in Seoul and Kyounggido for health examination from the months beginning July and ending September in 1998.
RESULTS
Of the 604 answered questionnaires, 361 were from women who were potentially fertile. Of these women 45.4% indicated that they would likely use natural family planning in the future to avoid pregnancy, and 30.5% indicated that they would likely use natural family planning in the future to become pregnant. Past use of any method of natural family planning to avoid pregnancy was associated with interest in future use of modern methods of natural family planning to avoid pregnancy. Age under 30, past use of natural family planning to become pregnant and the possible desire for future pregnancy were associated with interest in future use of natural family planning to conceive.
CONCLUSION
Interest in future use of natural family planning is associated with past use of natural family planning including other factors. Many women who have not used natural family planning showed interest in using natural family planning, either to avoid pregnancy or to conceive. Therefore, clinicians should include modern natural family planning method in all of their discussions with women about family planning options.