[Use of contraception among women applying for abortion]

During a period of one year (1988-89), a questionnaire was distributed to women applying for legal abortion at Frederikssund Hospital in Denmark. Two hundred and eight-eight answered the questions about why they had become pregnant. 84% of the women had used contraceptive methods. The remainder included women who regretted a planned pregnancy and women who believed they were infertile. 50% of the women had at least one intercourse without using contraceptives. Women using barrier-methods who forgot the contraceptive once or women who had stopped using the pill were mainly concerned. 23% of the women said they had used contraceptives correctly and consistently. After the abortions 75% intended to use IUD, oral contraceptives or sterilization. Suggestions to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies are discussed. Eg. spread of the knowledge of postcoital contraception as an extraordinary measure after an unprotected coitus is suggested. This will not replace other contraceptives, but should be used in a emergency.