Wed, 20 Apr 1994

New Method of Contraception Introduced

JAKARTA (JP): A new form of contraception is more effective than old methods because it has no significant side effects and has a high level of reliability, an expert said here yesterday.

The Cyclofem injection is a contraception method developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in which recipient gets an injection every month to prevent pregnancy.

"This new method is very effective, with a failure rate of only 0.3 to 3 percent. There are also no side effects, except for mothers who breast feed their babies," said Biran Affandi, chairman of the study group on Human reproduction, here yesterday.

The old method, which involved one shot every three months, caused side effects to the users such as missed and irregular periods. The new method avoids this aspect, but also has other benefits as it ensures that recipients see their doctors for injections on regular basis.

Most Indonesians people believe that injections are the best medicine. This is confirmed by the data provided by the National Family Planning Board (BKKBN), which shows that the trend of family planning acceptors to use the injection method is increasing every year, from 3,235,718 (17.8 percent) in March 1990 to 5,745,732 (26.9 percent) in March 1993.

"This new method is an effort to provide Indonesians with a variety of contraception methods so they can choose one according to their medical, social and economic conditions," said Biran.

To publicize the new method, the Indonesian Obstetrician and Gynecologist Association (POGI), and PT Telekine will hold a medical teleseminar presenting the Cyclofem Injection medical and technical data on May 14 at Shangri-la Hotel.

The seminar will present Peter E. Hall, chief of the Introduction & Transfer of Technologies Special Program in Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction.

The seminar will also be transmitted to 25 provincial capitals all over Indonesia, except for Irian Jaya and East Timor, to spread the information to a large number medical practitioners.(01)