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Aims and Objectives: To assess women's attitudes towards the mechanisms of action of birth control methods., Background: When addressing women's knowledge of and attitudes towards birth control methods, researchers frequently focus on side effects, effectiveness or correct use. Women's opinions about mechanisms of action have been much less investigated, and research is usually concentrated on the EC pill., Design: Cross-sectional study., Methods: Women, aged 18-49, from Germany, France, the UK, Sweden and Romania were randomly selected (n = 1137). They were asked whether they would use a method that may work after fertilisation or after implantation and whether they would continue using it after learning it may have such effects. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate the influence of certain characteristics on women's attitudes., Results: Almost half of women in Romania and Germany would not use methods with postfertilisation effects, while the lowest percentages were found in Sweden and in France. Regarding methods with postimplantation effects, higher percentages were found in all the countries. Highly educated women and those using a highly effective method were more likely to use methods with postfertilisation effects. On the contrary, married women, those who stated that human life begins at fertilisation and women with middle/high religiosity were less likely to consider using methods that may act after fertilisation., Conclusions: One-third of European women reported that they would not consider using a method that may have postfertilisation effects., Relevance to Clinical Practice: Given that postfertilisation effects may not be acceptable to some women, informing them of which methods may have these effects is essential to obtaining complete informed consent and to promoting women's autonomy., (© 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Adequate knowledge is essential for making informed decisions. We attempted to determine the level of knowledge about mechanisms of action of birth control methods in five representative samples of European women., Study Design: Randomly selected women, aged 18-49 years, completed an anonymous survey in Germany, France, the UK, Sweden and Romania (N=1137). Participants were asked about how contraceptive methods work and if providers should inform them about this issue. Multiple linear regression was used to evaluate women's characteristics associated with their knowledge of mechanisms of action., Results: The majority of women identified the unequivocal mode of action of condoms, sterilization and abortion. Fewer than 2% identified all possible mechanisms of action of hormonal contraceptives and intrauterine devices. Highly educated women correctly identified the mechanism or mechanisms of action of more methods than less educated women (β=0.22, 95% confidence interval 0.01-0.43). Regardless of their sociodemographic characteristics and their belief about when human life begins, most women (75%) stated that the provider should inform them about possible postfertilization effects., Conclusions: European women have low knowledge about mechanisms of action of several contraceptive methods. The majority want to be informed about possible postfertilization effects. Since adequate knowledge is essential for making informed decisions, providers are encouraged to inform women about all possible mechanisms of action of contraceptives., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The choice of a birth control method is influenced by sociocultural and personal factors. We explored the perceived influences in women's choice of a birth control method in five European countries (Germany, France, the UK, Romania and Sweden), where contraception is widely used., Study Design: This is a cross-sectional study of 1137 randomly selected women aged 18-49 years. An anonymous, 31-item questionnaire related to birth control methods was used. Logistic regression was used to identify variables associated with partner participation in choice of a contraceptive., Results: Oral contraceptives were mainly used in Germany (54.3%), France (50.5%) and Sweden (34.6%) and condoms in the UK (29.6%) and Romania (22.9%). Sweden showed the highest use of intrauterine devices (IUD, 19%). Romania had the lowest use of contraception. Oral contraceptives and IUDs use were frequently suggested by providers instead of by women. Choosing the method with the partner was associated with age [odds ratio (OR)=0.97, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.94-0.99], being a university graduate (OR=1.59, 95% CI 1.01-2.29), married (OR=1.52, 95% CI 1.01-2.29) and with using a method that requires partner's cooperation (OR=8.18, 95% CI 5.46-12.27)., Conclusions: Hormonal contraceptives and IUDs are commonly recommended by providers rather than requested by women. Partner preferences are taken into account when his cooperation in the use of the method is needed. As fertility care is a male and female issue, there is still more room for actively involving both women and men in their choice of a birth control method., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)