The effects of temperament and character on the choice of contraceptive methods

To identify the effects of temperament and character on the selection of contraceptive methods.

Cross-sectional study carried out in June 2005 at the Ondokuz Mayis University Samsun Health College with the participation of 102 young women. The participants were asked to complete the Contraception Choice Questionnaire devised by the researchers, and the Cloninger Temperament and Character Inventory.

The mean age of the participants was 22.30 +/- 1.27 years; 39 participants (38.2%) mentioned Norplant, 30 (29.4%) condoms, 17 (16.6%) intrauterine devices (IUDs) and 16 (15.7%) oral contraceptives (OCs) as the method they would consider using in the future. The mean scores of self-directedness and self-transcendence of the groups differed significantly (p < 0.05). Students who indicated they would choose OCs had higher average scores for self-directedness than those choosing IUDs; the mean self-transcendence scores of students choosing IUDs were significantly higher than the scores of those selecting condoms (p < 0.01). Subjects choosing Norplant cited ease of use; those choosing condoms cited their eliciting fewer side effects; those choosing IUDs cited their high levels of safety; and those choosing OCs cited ease of use and high reliability as the reasons for their choices.

We think that identifying the roles of temperament and character in the selection process of a contraceptive method will help in achieving a wider application of contraception.