Focusing on the pregnancy test

Abstract

Due to high abortion rates in a low status area in Göteborg, Sweden, a study was performed focused on the pregnancy test.The aim of the study was to facilitate the accessibility of contraceptive counseling offering immediate and extended family planning advice to women with negative pregnancy tests not wishing to become pregnant. There was also an ambition to better understand the lack or inconsistent use of contraceptives and decrease the rate of unwanted pregnancies, which could have an impact on the abortion rates.In an area with 5,200 women of fertile age immediate and extended family planning advice was offered by midwives to all women with no desire for pregnancy and negative pregnancy test results. During the six month data collection period in 1988-1989, 463 women received such a consultation, of whom 310 did not use any contraceptives at the time of the study. Several reasons, on different explanatory levels, for not using contraception were recognized.The abortion rate declined in the area, and this decline was observed two years earlier than for the rest of Göteborg. This decline, together with the information on contraception behavior received, may indicate that this kind of approach could be successful.