Women's satisfaction with contraceptive methods and its related factors in Isfahan health clinics in 2008

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Starting sexual relations in early ages, diminution of family size and couple's delay for having babies in recent years have increased the length of using contraception methods and women need contraceptives for an average of more than 30 years. On the other hand, the tendency to use a contraceptive method like other tendencies depends on the general attitude to apply it and this means satisfaction. Therefore, satisfaction of using a contraceptive method is very important for women. This study aims to compare the satisfaction of women with the contraceptive methods.

METHODS: This is a descriptive comparative study with cross-sectional data collection method. The study sample included 706 women using LD pills, condoms, intrauterine devices (IUDs), Depo Provera injections, female sterilization and withdrawal method. The sample was selected using systematic random sampling. Data were collected using a researcher made questionnaire included 8 questions for three methods of using IUD, sterilization and withdrawal methods and 9 questions for pill, condom and DMPE injections. Questions were multiple choices (5- choices) and each question ranked from 1 to 5. Content reliability and re-test were used to evaluate the reliability and validity of the questionnaire. ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests using SPSS software were used for data analysis.

RESULTS: Findings showed that the maximum and minimum mean scores of satisfaction belonged to female sterilization (4.36) and condom (4.08), respectively. Also, there were significant differences in mean score of satisfaction between users of IUD and condom, sterilization and condom as well as sterilization and withdrawal.

CONCLUSION: Women were more satisfied with reliable methods. It means that efficiency and reliability have an effective role in women's satisfaction with contraceptives and this should be considered in birth control counseling.

KEY WORDS: Satisfaction, contraceptives, family planning, birth control.