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Choosing a method of contraception is an important decision as regards user satisfaction, continuation of use and compliance. The issues of continuation of and compliance with contraceptive use are presented. The continuation rate of a method of contraception is the indicator of the acceptability of that method. The highest continuation rates at the end of the first year are recorded for subdermal implants, intrauterine devices (IUD), the pill and Depo-Provera®. Lower continuation rates are found for periodic abstinence, male condom, female condom, diaphragm and spermicides. Continuation rates are highest for methods not affected by compliance. Compliance indicates the degree to which the patient adheres to a prescribed regimen. Lack of compliance can lead to adverse effects of contraceptive use (unintended pregnancy, side-effects, diminished non-contraceptive health benefits) and to discontinuation of the contraceptive method. Also, differences between method effectiveness and user effectiveness can largely be attributed to compliance with the prescribed contraceptive regimens. Health-care professionals have to empower the patient to increase compliance with the existing methods. In addition, the development and use of new contraceptive methods, which take into account the issues of non-compliance, should be encouraged.

Objective: The practice of abortion in a particular country reflects culture, economic status, religion and the law. Various aspects of abortion in Europe - laws, rates and practices - are presented. Results: Abortion is completely prohibited in Ireland and Malta. In Poland it is permitted only to save the woman's life or protect her physical health. On the grounds of protecting the woman's mental health it is also permitted in Northern Ireland, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland. On socioeconomic grounds abortion is permitted in Finland, Great Britain and Hungary. In the other European countries it is permitted on demand. Eastern Europe has the highest abortion rate (Romania 78/1000 women aged 15-44), and Western Europe has the lowest (The Netherlands 6.5/1000); the disparity may be attributable to differences in availability and use of effective contraceptives. Within the first 12 weeks of gestation, vacuum aspiration has replaced dilatation and curettage, as the most commonly used method to perform abortion. More recently, medical abortion (mifepristone with prostaglandins) in early pregnancy has been used in several European countries. Conclusions: Reduction of the need for induced abortion and prevention of unsafe abortion through the provision of appropriate legislation and good family planning services should be an integral part of health care in every country.

Objectives The aim of this study was to analyze the sexual behavior of secondary-school students in Slovenia.Methods The research was carried out on a representative sample of 4706 secondary-school students aged 15-19 years in Slovenia. The data were obtained by a self-administered questionnaire in April 1996.Results The average age of the students was 17.5 years. Most students had experiences in kissing (70%) and caressing (59%); a lower number had experiences in petting (43%). Sexual intercourse had been experienced by 38% of the students. The median age at the first sexual intercourse was 18.5 years. The main motives for the first sexual intercourse were love (45%), accident (22%) and curiosity (15%). Contraceptive methods currently used were condoms (60%), the pill (14%), coitus interruptus (4%), other methods (3%) and no method (19%). According to the students, the most appropriate sources of information on sexuality were friends (26%), parents (19%), different sources (19%) and professionals (15%).Conclusion By the age of 18.5 years, approximately one-half of secondary-school students in Slovenia experience sexual intercourse. Most students currently use effective contraception, condoms being the most popular method. The students expect to receive information about sexuality from friends, parents and professionals, but not from the school environment.