Contraceptive efficacy: the significance of method and motivation

The relationship between contraceptive failure and selected characteristics of users is examined using data collected in the 1970 and 1975 rounds of the National Fertility Study. Intention regarding future childbearing and choice of contraceptive method are found to be the most important considerations. Within categories of intention, choice of method appears to have an important influence on differentials by age and other characteristics. The longitudinal aspect of the study design permitted the inclusion in the analyis of certainty of intention, coital frequency, and women's perceptions of their own ability to control fertility.