Background: The choice of available contraceptive methods has increased in recent years; however, recent data on\r\nwomenââ?¬â?¢s awareness of methods and reasons for their method choice, or reasons for changing methods, is limited.\r\nThe aim of this study was to examine the use and awareness of contraceptive methods in the USA, UK, Germany,\r\nItaly and Spain.\r\nMethods: Quantitative survey of heterosexual women aged 25ââ?¬â??44 years (n=2544), with no known infertility.\r\nQuestions related to knowledge and use of contraceptive methods, reasons for choice and for changing methods,\r\nand sources of advice.\r\nResults: There was generally good awareness of most forms of contraception in all five countries. Awareness and\r\ncurrent usage was greatest for the contraceptive pill (awareness >98%, usage varied from 35% [Spain] to 63%\r\n[Germany]); and male condom (awareness >95%, usage varied from 20% [Germany] to 47% [Spain]); awareness of\r\nother methods varied between countries. Doctors have the greatest influence on womenââ?¬â?¢s choice of contraceptive\r\nmethod (>50% for all countries), and are most likely to suggest the contraceptive pill or male condom.\r\nWomenââ?¬â?¢s contraceptive needs change; 4ââ?¬â??36% of contraceptive pill users were likely to change their method within\r\n12 months. For previous contraceptive pill users (n=377), most common reason for change was concern about side\r\neffects (from 26% [Italy] to 10% [UK]); however, awareness of many non-hormonal contraceptive methods was low.\r\nConclusions: Women aged 25ââ?¬â??44 are aware of a wide variety of contraceptive methods, but knowledge and\r\nusage of the contraceptive pill and condoms predominates. Changing contraception method is frequent, occurring\r\nfor a variety of reasons, including change in life circumstances and, for pill users, concerns about side effects.
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