Changes in contraception use among Brazilian women after childbirth, 2006-2013

Abstract

Abstract Introduction There are gaps in knowledge regarding the neglected and vulnerable subgroups of FP actions in Brazil, such as postpartum women and women in general, regardless of their marital status. Objective To assess changes in the prevalence of use and in the contraceptive pattern of Brazilian women up to two years after pregnancy, between 2006 and 2013. Methods Cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study which used secondary data from national surveys. We studied Brazilian women with up to 2 years postpartum, of reproductive age, sexually active, non-pregnant and menstruating, and compared them with all the other women. We estimated the prevalence of use, contraception pattern of contraception and ranking of modern methods. Percentual change in indicators between the years was evaluated by calculating the difference between estimates. Results 85% of Brazilian women used CM, remaining stable in 2006 and 2013, with a high prevalence of modern methods use. An increase in the use of CM was observed among those with up to six months postpartum (71.0% to 89.0%). Pills and condoms accounted for about 60% of modern methods used in the postpartum period in both surveys. There was an increase in dual protection (2.9% to 10.1%) and contraceptive insecurity (1.6% to 5.7%) and a reduction in sterilization (16.2% to 13.4%) and traditional methods (2.1% to 1.4%). Conclusions Even with the maintenance of a high prevalence of use of CM and with the increase in contraception among women with up to six months postpartum, regional inequalities in access to CM and low prevalence of the use of other methods made available by the Unified Health System (SUS) persist, pointing out the maintenance of the insufficient care, failures in the means to regulate fertility and that public policies still hinder to guarantee the sexual and reproductive rights of the most vulnerable population. Key messages Regional inequalities in access to contraceptive methods and low prevalence of other methods made available by the Unified Health System (SUS) persist. There was an increase in contraception use among women with up to six months postpartum in Brazil.