Family planning needs of male chronic mental patients in the general hospital psychiatry clinic.

We investigated the parenting history, contraceptive behavior, and contraceptive needs of 35 male chronic mental patients seen at an urban outpatient psychiatric clinic. Most patients had fathered children, but 60% of the children less than 16 years of age were not being reared by their biological father. Forty-one percent of the patients who had sexual intercourse during the preceding year and had not wanted children reported that they or their sexual partner had not used contraception at the time of last intercourse. Patients were reportedly at significant risk of fathering unwanted children and sexually transmitted diseases. Strategies for preventing unwanted pregnancies within this population are discussed.