Birth Control Advice Research Articles

Family Planning Advice in State-Socialist Poland, 1950s-80s: Local and Transnational Exchanges.

This paper scrutinises the relations between different models of family planning advice and their evolution in Poland between the mid-1950s and the late 1980s, focusing on their similarities and dissimilarities, conflicts and concordances. From 1956 onwards, the delivery of family planning advice became a priority for both the Polish Catholic Church and the party-state, especially its health authorities, which supported the foundation of the Society of Conscious Motherhood and aspired to mainstream birth control advice through the network of public well-woman clinics. As a consequence, two systems of family planning counselling emerged: the professional, secular family planning movement and Catholic pre-marital and marital counselling. We argue that reciprocal influence and emulation existed between state-sponsored and Catholic family planning in state-socialist Poland, and that both models used transnational organisations and debates relating to contraception for their construction and legitimisation. By evaluating the extent to which the strategies and practices for the delivery of birth control advice utilised by transnational birth control movements were employed in a 'second world' context such as Poland, we reveal unexpected supranational links that complicate and problematise historiographical and popular understandings of the Iron Curtain and Cold War Europe.

No Man's Land? Gendering Contraception in Family Planning Advice Literature in State-Socialist Poland (1950s-1980s).

SummaryThis article examines popular medical discourses on contraception produced in state-socialist Poland following the legalisation of abortion in 1956, a time when the party state declared family planning to be a public health project. By analysing popular medical literature, I argue that the popularisation of family planning constructed and relied on gender norms that could ease anxieties about the mainstreaming of ideas relating to sexuality and contraception, as well as about gender equality in a state-socialist context. I show that the femininity constructed in Polish birth control advice was based in fertility and the physical attractiveness required to maintain a husband’s sexual interest. Although masculinity was represented as distant, egoistic and violent, experts broadcast mixed messages about the effectiveness and usefulness of popular male contraceptive methods, some of which were at times utterly demonised.

Bonuses for birth control advice

Bonuses for birth control advice

Griswold v. Connecticut: birth control and the constitutional right of privacy

Americans value as one of their most cherished rights, yet word privacy isn't even mentioned in U.S. Constitution. It took Supreme Court's ruling in v. Connecticut (1965) to bestow constitutional protection upon this right. That remains one of Court's most hotly debated rulings and led directly to an even more controversial decision in Roe v. Wade (1973). John Johnson's masterly critique of Griswold which observes its 40th anniversary on June 7, 2005 reminds us once again of its crucial impact on both American law and society. Johnson explores Griswold's origins in a challenge to Connecticut's 1879 anti-contraception law, provides a detailed narrative of its progress, examines unfolding of newly secured right of up to recent controversies over same-sex relations, and grounds story in two key contexts: struggle within one state to establish right to birth control and national debate over right of privacy. He also provides important insights into Supreme Court decision in Poe v. Ullman (1961), which rejected challenges to Connecticut's law and was itself immediately challenged. In response to Poe, Planned Parenthood opened a clinic in New Haven to dispense birth control advice and devices to married women. Ten days later, a local prosecutor shut clinic down and indicted executive director Estelle Griswold and her medical director, C. Lee Buxton. Tracing progress of Griswold's case, Johnson clarifies how or the right to be let alone became a judicially constructed right. In one of most idiosyncratic opinions in Court's history, Justice William O. Douglas ruled that emanations from five constitutional amendments afforded protection to right of privacy, while several other justices proposed competing rationales in support. As he unravels this fascinating tale, Johnson reveals a multifaceted decision that was not in fact doctrinal novelty that many scholars have argued. For two generations, Griswold has functioned as legal basis for judicial rulings involving issues of sexual intimacy, reproductive rights, and family life. Even today, it continues to set agenda for debates about in American life and about how Constitution itself should be interpreted. Johnson's deft and incisive analysis of case will interest anyone concerned about nature, scope, and future of in America.

Eugenics and birth control: contraceptive provision in North Wales, 1918-1939.

The close relationship between the provision of birth control advice and the ideology of eugenics deserves closer attention. This paper focuses on the enthusiasm for eugenic ideas amongst an influential section of the medical profession and their ability to initiate contraceptive provision. A study of North Wales suggests that clinic provision in the interwar period reflected the enthusiasm or hostility of the medical profession more closely than the needs or demands of the female population, and illustrates how, for some doctors, the issue of contraception was seen in the wider context of the nation's health.

Direct immunofluorescence for Chlamydia trachomatis on urogenital smears for epidemiological purposes

A population of 197 asymptomatic women, attending an out-patient department for birth-control advice, was screened for urogenital infection with Chlamydia trachomatis by direct immunofluorescence on cervical and urethral smears. A blood sample was obtained for chlamydial serology and demographic, behavioural and clinical data were recorded. Eleven (5.5%) women had a chlamydial infection. Chlamydial infection, as diagnosed with direct immunofluorescence, correlated with a history of sexually transmitted disease (p < 0.01), promiscuity (p < 0.01), use of oral contraceptives (p < 0.02) and high chlamydial antibody titres (p < 0.01). These last also correlated with a history of sexually transmitted disease (p < 0.02) and promiscuity (p < 0.02). These results, obtained with direct immunofluorescence, are indistinguishable from those obtained previously with chlamydial culture. Direct immunofluorescence on urogenital smears seems a valuable tool for epidemiological investigation. Our data also support the hypothesis that oral contraceptive use is correlated with chlamydial infection because of increased cervical susceptibility to infection and not because of a sampling bias towards oral contraceptive users.

CONTRACEPTIVE RISK-TAKING BEHAVIOR BY SEXUALLY ACTIVE ADOLESCENT FEMALES

Despite the availability of effective contraceptives, adolescent pregnancy remains a formidable health issue. Previous studies of adolescent contraceptive risk-taking have been atheoretical in nature and have been analyzed in univariate and bivariate modes. The purpose of this study was to test a multivariate theoretical model which predicts (1) the decision to use contraceptives and (2) the choice of a specific method. The model consists of: premarital sexual standards and experiences→frequency of coitus→perceived probability of pregnancy→cognitive assessment of pregnancy→contraceptive activity. The model was tested using a recent national (U.S.A.) representative sample of nonmarried, sexually active females ages 15 to 20 years (n=1010) and was analyzed with three multiple regression analysis models. The number of years of sexual activity and the frequency of attendance at religious services were associated with coital frequency (R=.17, p<0001). Coital frequency, followed by post menarchial age and years dating also had a direct effect on contraceptive use (R=.23, p<0001). Attitude toward pregnancy, previous professional birth control advice, compliance with first contraceptive method, coital frequency and the source of their first family planning services were highly associated with contraceptive use (r=.84, p<0.0001). These data support the model and provide insight into the decision process used by adolescents to take contraceptive risks.

A survey of attitudes among 979 women attending a birth control clinic

Interviews were carried out with 979 women attending a clinic for birth control advice. Most of the patients were single, middle-class women who worked in central London offices. More than 600 had never approached their GP for advice; of these, about 200 were reluctant to do so because of embarrassment or fear of the reception they might get. Those that did visit a GP intially tended to complain of a lack of interest. Fewer patients who had sought help from a local family planning clinic expressed a similar dissatisfaction but one-third did criticize the facilities and service provided. Two-thirds of the patients were surprisingly ignorant about the contraceptive facilities available in the areas in which they lived.

Family planning in a part-aboriginal community, 1970 to 1973.

A family planning service was launched among Aboriginal women in Bourke Australia in 1970. Within a 33-month period 79 women or half of the child-bearing population was practicing some form of birth control and altogether 83 women and 2 men had consulted the family planning physician about birth control advice. Of the 79 women 24 had completed their families 13 were spacing births and 8 said they had to o many children. Of the 71 initial acceptors 50 (70.4%) have either continued with family planning practices or have returned to them. The most common side effects of the oral contraceptive pill was an increase in migraine (6 cases) weight gain (4 cases) and naseau (3 cases). Complaints about IUD side effects were rare. 2 women chose tubal ligations as a permanent method of birth control. Care must be taken to avoid the serious side effects of contraception in women who have a high prevalence of diabetes anemia and infection. It was observed that the birth rate had fallen from 71 per 1000 (1964-1971) to 35 per 1000 in 1972.

General practitioners and birth control advice in 1970-71.

General practitioners and birth control advice in 1970-71.

Agriculture Aides: A New Manpower Resource?

A survey was conducted among nutrition aides in the U.S. to find out their attitudes toward family planning, and to determine if the low-income families in their case-loads had expressed an interest in family planning. A random sample of nutrition aides was drawn, and questionnaires directed toward selected aides. There was a 95% response rate (375) and an overwhelming endorsement of family planning. 93.7% declared their clientele needed information on family planning, and 2/3 reported they had been asked for birth control information on family planning, and families they serviced. Almost 97% of the aides gave some kind of birth control advice when asked for it, although mostly of a referral nature. 87% of the respondents said if trained, they would be willing to teach family planning. It would be beneficial if the Department of Agriculture would assume more responsibility in family planning matters through the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, of which these aides are a part. In 1971, 9,000 women served as aides to more than 1.7 million low-income persons. The Department of Agriculture could request special funds for training in family planning of aides. Various groups within the Extension program could relay their needs and interest in family planning to their state Extension services and to the national body for program development.

Family Planning for Britain

In Britain in 1968 there were 780 family planning clinics using all conventional methods except IUDs and 220 IUD clinics. In 1967 of 173,000 new patients, 77,000 chose oral contraceptives, 60,000 chose diaphragms, and 24,000 chose IUDs. A short training course is given to both nurses and doctors. The Family Planning Association is the private agency responsible for promoting birth control advice, information, and services. Since the Family Planning Act was passed in 1967, the National Health Service has the authority to provide family planning service to those who want it for free.

Report on Abortion

THE report of the Inter-Departmental Committee on Abortion, which was appointed by the Minister of Health and the Home Secretary under the chairmanship of Mr. Norman Birkett, K.C., has been issued (H.M. Stationery Office. 2s. 6d. net). In the Majority Report, signed by fourteen members, the question of the prevalence of abortion is first examined. They stress the difficulties entailed in arriving at any estimate; but suggest that the number of abortions occurring annually in England and Wales is between 110,000 and 150,000, of which perhaps forty per cent are criminal. The Committee discusses the existing law, analyses the motives for criminal abortion and the methods employed, and examines proposals for amending the law. It recommends that the law should be clarified so as to make it plain that the induction of abortion is legal when the operation is carried out to save the life, or to prevent impairment of health, of the pregnant woman, but expresses strong opposition on ethical, social and medical grounds to any broad relaxation of the law. It is recommended that therapeutic abortions should be notifiable by the operator to the medical officer of health, and that there should be some restriction on the sale of abortifacient drugs. The majority of members of the Committee are not prepared on general grounds to recommend the unrestricted dissemination of birth control advice by the public health services.

Birth Control Advice at Clinics

Birth Control Advice at Clinics

Progress of Birth Control

The second annual report, for 1931–32, of the National Birth Control Association has been issued by the Committee. The work of the Association has proceeded vigorously and has been stimulated by the general economic distress in Great Britain. Speakers on the subject of birth control have been supplied for meetings of various organisations. The Birth Control Investigation Committee is incorporated with the Association and investigations on spermaticides, contraceptive appliances, and statistics of birth control have been pursued. Local authorities to the number of 47 have decided to provide birth control advice within the terms of the Ministry of Health Circular No. 1208 of 1931. Terms of membership of the Association may be obtained from the Secretary, 26 Eccleston Street, London, S.W.1.