The history of family planning among women who choose surgical sterilization in the Caja de Seguro Social of Panama.

175 women aged 30 to 44 years who sought postpartum sterilization were interviewed in their second trimester at seven social security prenatal clinics in Panama. The women all had two or more living children. Questions concerned their knowledge of contraception past usage and experience with side effects. 99% of the women had heard of oral contraceptives 89% of IUDs 78% of barrier methods and 75% of injectables. The first method used was the pill for 64.4%. 42.8% began pill use at 19 to 25 years of age 10.2% at 14-18 years and 11.4% at over 25. The IUD was the first method used by 13.6%. 5.7% began use at 19 to 25 years 0.5% at 14 to 18 years and 7.4% at over 25 years. 6.2% had never used a method. The most recently used contraceptive methods were OCs for 33% IUDs for 15.4% barrier methods for 10.7% injectables for 5.1% and natural methods for 9.1%. 26.8% did not use a method before the most recent pregnancy. OCs were the method most frequently associated with adverse side effects.