Follow-up study of oral contraceptive acceptors in Howrah District in India.

Abstract

In the Howrah District in India, three clinics--one in each of the urban, slum, and rural areas of the city--were initiated by the Humanity Association of Howrah in November of 1968 to supply oral contraceptives (OCs) to women from 15 to 45 years of age. The project was discontinued in September, 1972. Of the 1700 patients still active when the project ended, 1527 were contacted for the follow-up survey. Findings indicate that most women in this district were satisfied with OCs and would continue to use them if they were available. In corroboration of this, it was found that 43% of the women had used OC'S obtained from other sources after the project was discontinued. While 35.5% of the women who used no contraceptive method after project ended reported becoming pregnant or suspected that they were pregnant at the time of the interview, only 4.2% of those who reported using some form of contraception reported pregnancy or suspected pregnancy. The demographic impact of the project will be evaluated on the basis of data to be obtained in a subsequent survey of the same communities.