Greetings and apologies for any cross-postings!

Network Vol. 19, No. 4 is now online.  This issue of Family Health
International's (FHI) quarterly scientific bulletin focuses on new
contraceptive users.  Here is a brief summary of the articles it contains,
followed by links to the issue on the Web:

Network: New Contraceptive Users
Vol. 19, No. 4, Summer 1999

First-time contraceptive users are a diverse group that includes young
adults who have recently become sexually active and older couples who
initiate use after the births of their children.

First-time Users Have Diverse Needs

Some new users are young adults who have recently become sexually active,
risking unplanned pregnancy or sexually transmitted disease. Some are
couples who do not want to use contraception until after the birth of a
child and fertility is proven. Others do not begin contraceptive use until
they have reached their desired family size or are ready to end
childbearing. Family planning workers should be aware of the differing
needs, concerns and experiences of first-time users.

Why Do People Change Methods?

There are many reasons why people switch methods. Some couples switch
methods because they change their family planning goals. Others may switch
to avoid side effects. Often, women and men first try methods that are easy
to get or use, but may be less effective than other methods. Later, when
they feel more urgency to limit their fertility, they tend to switch to more
effective methods.

Social Contacts Influence Method Use

Everyday conversations within various social groups can play an important
role in a person's decision to begin contraception. Because of this, family
planning programs can improve services by working with friends, family
members and other social groups.

Unmet Need Affects Millions

Contraceptive use has increased markedly in recent years in most developing
countries, as has the desire for smaller families. Nevertheless, one in four
married women in developing countries wants to avoid pregnancy but does not
use contraception.

Recent FHI Research: Mother's Ambivalence Can Affect Infant Development

Adolescent girls' perception of their pregnancy can influence the health and
well-being of their babies, according to research conducted by the FHI
Women's Studies Project.

Read the full text of Network 19-4 on FHI's Web site at:
English: http://www.fhi.org/en/fp/fppubs/network/v19-4/index.html
<http://www.fhi.org/en/fp/fppubs/network/v19-4/index.html>
French: http://www.fhi.org/fr/networkf/fv19-4/index.html
<http://www.fhi.org/fr/networkf/fv19-4/index.html>
Spanish: http://www.fhi.org/sp/networks/sv19-4/index.html
<http://www.fhi.org/sp/networks/sv19-4/index.html>

More than 1,300 full-text materials in English, Spanish and French are
available on our Web site: http://www.fhi.org. <http://www.fhi.org/>

FHI is committed to helping women and men have access to safe, effective,
acceptable and affordable family planning methods to ensure that they
achieve their desired number and spacing of children; preventing the spread
of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs); and improving
the health of women and children.


David Hock
Senior Information Projects Coordinator
Family Health International
e-mail: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>