[The obstetrical history and use of contraceptive methods by women in urban health area].

A study is made on some significant aspects of the obstetric history and contraceptive practice in an urban health area by means of a random sample that selected 352 women of reproductive potential. They were interviewed by means of a questionnaire designed for that purpose. Most women in all age groups had a male partner, except for the 15-19 age group, and it seems that often marriage duration is not low. Pregnancy average per woman was high (3.04) and high rates for induced abortion per live birth (0.99) and of induced abortion per woman (1.44) were found, which is indicative of inappropriate contraceptive practice. The contraceptives most commonly used were intrauterine devices (74%) and oral tablets (51%); much less frequent is the use of condoms (5.8%), diaphragms (2.9%), periodic abstinence (2.5%) and breast feeding (2.5%). Results indicate an abuse of abortion as a family planning method, as well as a poor contraceptive practice.