Authors

• Hemminki, Elina (National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health (STAKES))
• Sihvo, Sinikka (National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health (STAKES))

Keywords

abortion, adoption, contraceptive devices, delivery (pregnancy), family planning, fertility, fertility treatment, men, miscarriage, pregnancy, pregnancy complications

Abstract

The survey studied Finnish women's opinions and experiences on family planning services. The aim of the research was to chart possible problems with the family planning system of the time, and to gather useful information for improving the services. The study was conducted by researchers of the National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health (STAKES) in collaboration with researchers from the University of Tampere and the University of Kuopio.

The respondents were asked about the birth control methods they used, the costs of these methods, and whether the costs had affected their use of such methods. Familiarity with different birth control methods was charted. The respondents were also asked how often they had visited a health care professional due to matters related to birth control during the past year. Opinions on which type of health care professional the respondents would like to visit in birth control related issues were probed. The respondents were also asked questions about their last visit to a health care professional in birth control related matters.

Next, the respondents were asked if they had ever had an abortion. Respondents who had had an abortion were asked about it. Views and experiences on maternity clinic were also investigated. The respondents were asked about their experiences with childlessness, infertility, and methods used to treat infertility. Lastly, they were asked which pregnancy and birth control related services should be funded by taxes and provided without charge to the user.

Background variables included the respondent's year of birth, economic activity and employment status, industry of employment, state of health, diagnosed diseases or medical conditions, and the degree of urbanisation of the home municipality.