The oral pill in the Indonesian Population/Family Planning Program

The oral pill is the most extensively used contraceptive in Indonesia. Of new users, 64% use the pill, 20% IUDs, 8% injectables, 6% condoms and 2% voluntary sterilization. Since the continuation rate of pill use is low as compared to the other non-permanent methods, i.e. the IUD and the injectables, special steps must be taken in order to reach the goal of the program, i.e. the reduction of the crude birth rate (CBR) to 22/1000 by the year 1990. These special steps involve selecting the best pill for Indonesian women, and determining the best contraceptive combination for each region and for new pill acceptors. The role of the oral pill in the program is also discussed.