[Acceptance of family planning methods in birth, cesarean and curettage]

More than 120 million women worldwide want to avoid pregnancy, but most are not using contraception. This could be because they may not have received clear instructions on how to use the method properly, may not have obtained the most appropriate method for their needs, or may not have been aware of the side effects.

To compare the acceptance of family planning methods (FPM) in women attended for childbirth, caesarean section, and curettage.

Cross-sectional, analytical, prolective study. Women between 18 and 40 years of age in the immediate puerperium attended at a third level hospital were included. A survey which included 5 items with multiple choice answers and 7 with open answers was applied. General data were gathered, included the acceptance or not of some planning method, and the reason for its use or rejection. In addition, it was identified which methods they knew, if they received counseling and the perspective of effectiveness.

A total of 648 women were included; 216 women in each group. It was found that there is a higher percentage of acceptance of FPM in women attended by cesarean section, compared to those attended by delivery and curettage (p = 0.0158).

Women attended by cesarean section are more willing to approve FPM, compared to those attended by delivery and curettage. Those patients who receive counseling are the most informed and the ones who approve FPM. Nurses and family physicians are the health workers who offer more counseling.