|
Abortion and contraceptive methods in a rural district in the North of Vietnam
Abortion and contraceptive methods in a rural district in the North of Vietnam
Phan Hong Van
Master thesis in public health
Northen Europe college of public health, Sweden, 2001
Objectives: 1) Describe the situation of abortion and the factors related to abortion in the world and in Vietnam. 2) Investigate the abortion pattern in a rural district of Vietnam in one year (June 1998-June 1999) and compare knowledge, attitude and practice of the use of contraceptive methods of women with abortion and women without abortion. This research will suggest suitable measures to reduce the abortion rate in the locality.
Methods: The research was conducted at the Epidemiological Field Laboratory of the Health system research programme (Fila Bavi) located in the rural district of Bavi,Vietnam. FilaBavi has the sample size of 11.000 households (51.000 people), constituting 20% of the total population of Bavi district. Random cluster technique was chosen for sample selection here. Household surveys were used in the research. All the women at the age of between 15-49 at FilaBavi were asked if they had at least one abortion during the last one year (June 1998-June 1999). All the women with at least one abortion were put into the abortion group. The non-abortion group consisted of women who did not have any abortions during that period. These women were identified with the help of suggestion of women in the abortion group. Structured questionnaires were used. Women in both groups were asked the same questions about general information, birth history, knowledge of, attitude to and the practice of using contraceptive methods. Women in the abortion group were also asked questions about their last time of abortion.
Main findings: 1) 401 out of the total 12.750 women at the age of 15-49 at FilaBavi had abortion during the period between June 1998 and June 1999 (3%). 2) Women without abortion have statistically higher level of education and higher economic condition than women with abortion. 3) All the women with or without abortion are aware of and believe in the use of contraceptive methods. But women with abortion think that intra-uterine device may have side effects. 4) The proportion of women using contraceptive methods in the non-abortion group is significantly higher than in the abortion group. Women without abortion mainly rely on modern contraceptive methods (especially intra-uterine device), while the majority of the abortion group use traditional methods. 5) Half of the women in the abortion group did not use any contraceptive methods before the last conception leading to abortion. Most of the rest women used traditional methods. The main reason for not using any kinds of contraceptive methods was the fear of their side effects. The convenience of use is the main reason for the choice of a contraceptive method.
Conclusion: The abortion rate in Bavi district is high compared to the reported nationwide rate. The reasons for failing in family planning are the avoidance or ineffective use of contraceptive methods. There is a close relationship between the use of contraceptive methods and the fear of their side effects. These findings suggest that women should be provided with accurate information about available contraceptive methods and their side effects. It is necessary to popularize available contraceptive methods so that women can have many options to choose.
|
