Women find contraceptives hazardous<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Many women using long term contraceptives --
\nlike IUDs -- are having health problems and could be dropping out
\nof the family planning program, a leading doctor says.<\/p>\n
Azrul Azwar, the chairman of the Indonesian Medical
\nAssociation, said his survey also found complaints about
\ndiscomfort among women who use long term contraceptives.<\/p>\n
The most often cited health complaints were bleeding and
\nirregular menstruation, he said.<\/p>\n
Although many of these women may have switched to short term
\ncontraceptives, Azrul did not rule out the possibility that some
\nhave dropped out of the family planning program.<\/p>\n
\"If that is the case, it would jeopardize the government's
\nfamily planning program,\" he told The Jakarta Post yesterday.<\/p>\n
Azrul, who wrote a dissertation on the subject for his
\ndoctorate last month, said the solution is for family planning
\ndoctors and extension workers to provide better service.<\/p>\n
\"The quality of service for long-term contraceptive users is
\ncrucial because it affects a woman's health,\" said Azrul, who
\nalso sits on the executive board of the Indonesian Association
\nfor Secure Contraception.<\/p>\n
He said efforts to improve service have not been satisfactory.<\/p>\n
According to a 1995 survey by the National Coordinating Family
\nPlanning Board, 22 percent of the 23 million Indonesian women in
\nthe program used IUDs, another 8 percent used implants and 6
\npercent were sterilized.<\/p>\n
The pill and injections are still the most popular
\ncontraceptive methods, each accounting for 32 percent of the
\ntotal.<\/p>\n
Azrul warned that unless something is done to improve medical
\nservice, the medical profession and the government could face
\nlegal problems.<\/p>\n
With Indonesians now becoming more assertive about their legal
\nrights, the medical profession could face expensive malpractice
\nsuits, he said.<\/p>\n
Azrul's assertion was supported by a survey by the family
\nplanning board which shows increasing health complaints among
\nlong-term contraceptive users.<\/p>\n
The survey showed that in 1990\/1991, as many as 55 percent of
\nthe participants complained. The figure rose to nearly 60 percent
\nthe following year, and to 62 percent in 1992\/1993. Complaints of
\ndiscomfort averaged 28 percent.<\/p>\n
Azrul's thesis said family planning doctors and extension
\nworkers should be more involved in the surveys and planning long
\nterm contraceptive services.<\/p>\n
The services involve a continuing process that depends on
\nfacilities, standards and skill, he said.<\/p>\n
Family planning doctors and nurses should learn quality
\ncontrol, he said. Hospitals directors and their entire staff
\nshould also be trained in running the long term contraceptive
\nprograms, including the rights and obligations of their
\nestablishments.<\/p>\n
Azrul said most hospitals neglect quality control, including
\nthe provision of services for long term contraceptive users.<\/p>\n
Lack of pressure from the government and the public, who
\nremain ignorant of their rights, allows hospitals to ignore
\nquality. (31)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/women-find-contraceptives-hazardous-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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