Subjective efficacy of preventive methods: image is everything
L.P. van Dalen, R.H.W. van Lunsen
Department of Sexology & Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology,
Academic Medical Centre/University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Modern contraceptive methods are changing the world. After the introduction
of modern contraceptive methods, contraceptive behaviour increased globally from
9% during the 1960s to 58 % in 1999; but with a difference between developed-
(65–80%) and underdeveloped countries (53%). Differences in contraceptive use
can also be found within the developed counties: total percentages of
contraceptive users are relatively equal, but the quality of the contraceptive
use varies per country. Variations between abortion rates are the best
illustration of these differences. For decades, the abortion rates in the
Netherlands have been the lowest in the world. Unfortunately, in recent years
statistics indicate that the quality of prevention behaviour in the Netherlands
is deteriorating. The question arises what factors are responsible for this
decline. In order to correctly interpret the abortion and STD statistics three
main questions must be answered.First, exactly what variables influence the
quality of prevention behaviour? Second, which sub-populations within Dutch
society are more at risk for unwanted pregnancy and/ or contracting a STD? And
finally, is every sub-population influenced in the same way by the different
factors? Literature shows that one of the factors that influences preventive
behaviour is the perceived efficacy of the preventive method. From 1989 until
2000 data was gathered from a representative sample of 5000 women in the age
group of 15–50 years on their contraceptive behaviour (GfK study). This data
contains detailed demographical information as well as information on
contraceptive knowledge, contraceptive and condom use, reasoning on starting,
switching and discontinuing of contraceptive methods, information sources used,
information on (perceived) side effects and (perceived) efficacy of the
preventive method. In this presentation data will be presented on differences in
perceived efficacy for different subpopulations. Results of the questionnaire
will be compared for, amongst others, different age groups, social economic
status, level of education and the presently used preventive method. Results
show, for instance, a strong trend for subjective efficacy to be relatively low
for contraceptive methods the individual is not using and high for the method
that they are using, and that these beliefs don’t necessarily coincide with
the objective efficacy of the preventive method.
