The aim of this survey was to examine the number of abortion applicants not using contraception at the time of conception, to shed light on the reasons for this, and to acquire information about the knowledge of postcoital anticonception in this patient group. The registered data is collected from precoded medical records at the University Hospital of Trondheim comprising 2,074 women applying for abortion in the period 1.1. 1995-15.7. 1997. The 291 applying for abortion 15.1-15.7. 1997, and who had not used contraception were given a questionnaire. 160 (55%) answered the questionnaire. During the period of 2.5 years 57.4% had not used contraception at the time of conception. The tendency of non-use has increased significantly during the last 2.5 years. Concern about sideeffects was the most common reason for not using contraceptives (36%). One third trusted the rhythm method and coitus interruptus. The postcoital pill was known by 93%; of the 61 women who had considered using it, 67% thought of it too late. To prevent unwanted pregnancies, it is important to focus on the positive health effects of oral contraception. Information efforts should especially be aimed at young and single women, who represent the majority of the non-users. The cost is no great impediment to the use of contraception. Availability of emergency contraception should be improved.
PIP: Precoded medical records of 2074 women seeking abortion at the University Hospital of Trondheim, Norway, during the period of January 1, 1995, to July 15, 1997, were analyzed to find out which women had not used contraceptives. In 1995 a total of 413 (51.8%) out of 798 women did not use contraception; in 1996 a total of 487 (59.4%) out of 820 women did not use contraception; and in 1997 a total of 291 (63.8%) out of 456 women did not use contraception. This was a significantly increasing trend (p 0.001). During the period of January 15 to July 7, 1997, a total of 447 provided information about contraceptive use: 156 (34%) used contraceptives and 291 (64%) did not. 50 of 63 adolescents (79%) did not use contraception. In the 25-34 age group there were significantly more contraceptive users than in the 15-24 age group (p = 0.003) and in the 35 age group (p = 0.026). 160 women (55%) out of 291 women who did not use contraception during the first half of 1997 answered a questionnaire. 51 women (32%) thought that they could not get pregnant because of various causes of infertility (childbirth, safe period, or abdominal infections). 55 women (34%) relied on coitus interruptus or safe periods. Here there was a significantly increasing trend with advancing age (p 0.01). Condom use was undesired in 41 cases (26%), and 25 women (16%) reported unavailability of contraception. 148 women (93%) had heard about postcoital contraceptives and 61 women (38%) figured that they would use them.