Contraceptive practices of women requesting induced abortion in Spain: a cross-sectional multicentre study

To collect information on (i) contraceptive methods used immediately before unwanted pregnancy, and (ii) planned contraception following induced abortion among Spanish residents.

Eight centres officially accredited to perform abortions participated in a cross-sectional study. The study population included 2475 women requesting induced abortion between 1 January and 31 March 2007.

Contraceptive methods used before unwanted pregnancy were condoms in 40% of the cases, combined hormonal contraception in 14%, and other methods (mainly natural methods and withdrawal) in 10%. Thirty-six percent of women did not use any contraceptive method. Failure of the method due to incorrect use was reported by 77% of those using condoms and by 84% of those using hormonal contraception. Only 23% of women planned to use a contraceptive method after abortion. Almost half of the women were immigrants.

Despite the use of effective contraceptive methods, the majority of women requesting induced abortion in Spain became pregnant during the use of these methods. These data reflect a lack of compliance. More education programmes are needed to improve compliance rates. The long-acting reversible contraceptive methods could constitute an appropriate approach.