More contraception, less abortions – how to improve the
situation?
A. Kapamadzija, J. Vukelic, A. Bjelica
Department of Obstetrics and
Gynecology, Clinical Center Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia & Montenegro
Objective The aim
of this study is to understand the reasons for poor contraception usage as well
as the great number of abortions in our country in order to try to improve the
situation and preserve women’s reproductive and gynecological health.
Methods
Data on contraception usage and number of abortions per woman were collected
from different sources for this survey. These data were analyzed and conclusions
were made.
Results The number of abortions in our country is still very high,
and it is estimated to be around 80/1000 women, 15-44 years of age. Abortion is
still our predominant method of family planning. Data from one project shows
that younger and more educated women had fewer abortions. Women older than 19
years of age do not use any methods of contraception in 52-67%. Oral hormonal
contraception use 1,8% of adolescents, students in 3,2% and grown up women only
in 2,8- 5%. When it comes to their opinion which method is the best, they will
give doubled percentages in the favor of oral contraceptives comparing to their
behavior (4%, 7% and 10% respectively). The reasons for not using these methods
are wrong beliefs – “hormones are not healthy, I’ll become fat and hairs
will grow on my body, I’ll get cancer….”.The underlying reasons are- the
lack of knowledge, and prejudices not only in users but also among health
workers, and even gynecologists. Women are not aware of possible consequences of
abortions. Numerous activities are being performed in our country in order to
improve the situation- peer education, lectures in schools held by peers and
health workers, youth friendly services and lectures for health workers
concerning modern contraception, especially low dose oral contraceptives
pointing out their noncontraceptive benefits.
Conclusion There are many
activities in Serbia with the aim of increasing the usage of modern methods of
contraception in order to lower the number of abortions and preserve
reproductive health of our women. Things are improving, but there is still much
to do. Until sexual education is well organized and introduced in our schools we
are doing our best to spread the knowledge and eliminate prejudices towards
modern methods of contraception, especially low dose oral contraceptives.