Knowledge, attitudes and practice of contraception in multiparous women

The knowledge and practice of contraception of mothers of large families were investigated, as well as their attitudes about birth control. The focus of the investigation was to determine if mothers of large families became pregnant by choice or at random. Data were collected by means of a questionnaire, mailed to a sample of 200 mothers of at least six children. All the subjects had given birth to an infant during 1974 and were living in Salt Lake County. Eighty-six questionnaires were analyzed; 83 were from women who reported to be members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Most respondents reported to have enough information about birth control. The major source for information was their physician. More than 90% of the subjects reported the use of birth control. Thirty percent underwent sterilizing surgery after the birth of their last baby. Eighteen subjects reported to have given birth to an additional infant after 1974. Six stated to be pregnant presently. The respondents reported the use of a variety of available contraceptive methods with the exception of vasectomies. Oral contraceptives were used in the past; however, the study showed a rapid decrease in the use of the pill during the last few years. Several conclusions were drawn. The women in this sample favored large families; when subjects perceived childbearing as a threat to physical or mental health, they limited the number of births. Their religious beliefs did seem to influence their attitudes towards birth control. The majority, however, did not perceive their church as an authority on this matter. Over-population was not a major concern for the subjects. The correlations showed that ecological considerations were less important for the subjects with higher level education. The study revealed that nurses play no role as family planning educators in this population. The role of the nurse as a health care provider does not seem to be clear. Recommendations were made for improving the Questionnaire and using it in other samples of LDS women in the childbearing age.