An evaluation of factors affecting selection of IUD as a contraceptive method by married women in Pakdasht, Iran

The aim of the study was to evaluate the factors associated with the selection of IUD as a reversible, safe and effective method in comparison with other contraceptive methods by married women in Pakdasht city. Material & metods: A multicenter clinic-based case-control study was conducted in January 2001. In a direct interview 60 current IUD users (cases) and 83 women using other contraceptive methods (controls), answered to 23 questions.Data obtained from 143 women was cumputerized and analysis was performed with SPSS and STATA programs.

Cases were younger than controls (P<0.01) and it was found that literacy (Odds ratio=2.44, 95%CI=l.44-5.71), history of l.U.D. training (Odds ratio=3.l, 95%Cl=l.51-6.35) , husband agreement (Odds ratio=l9.88, 95%Cl=4.52-87.8) and fewer number of: pregnancy (Odds ratio =2.79, 95%CI= 1.26-6.15), children (Odds ratio=2, 95%CI= 1.03-4.0 I) and sons (Odds ratio =3.46, 95%Cl= 1.54- 7.78) were positively associated with selection of IUD, besides the history of side effects from this method decreased using of this instrument (Odds ratio=0.17, 95%CI=0.4-0.73).

In each country there are unpredictable factors affecting contraceptive consumption behavior. This factors include cultural condition, religious, epidemiology of diseases, reproductive health, availability of family planning services and economic issues. Therefore, research and investigation about this factors in different regions of each country for decision makers in health system is inevitable.