[Contraception guidance in general practice. A questionnaire study in Nordland, Troms and Finnmark]

239 (75%) of 318 general practitioners in the three northernmost counties of Norway were asked by mailed questionnaire to report the frequency of consultations on contraception, and what kind of contraception they usually recommended. 85% informed the women about at least three different alternatives; oral contraceptives, intrauterine devices and condoms. Almost 50% would ordinate an intrauterine device to a woman who never had been pregnant. 60% informed the woman about other alternatives even if she had already decided upon method prior to the consultation. The physician often brought up the subject of contraception, but as many as 15% did not, as a routine, mention birth control when a woman consulted them for a first trimester abortion. Almost 50% did not know how to fit the diaphragms.