In recent decades it has been proved that the success or failure of family planning program in developing countries has tremendous impact on the improvement of health, welfare, as well as the general socio-economic development. Therefore it is worth giving a review of family planning in Korea during the last two decades. We are happy to credit the voluntary leaders, particular1y from the public health sector of universities, who played a key pioneering role in the initiation of the organized effort and for the continued leadership in the development of the national program. The organization of 17,000 village level family planning mothers' clubs in 1968 is one of the most outstanding innovative achievements. Despite such long standing problems as very poor morale of the family planning workers, poor national health care network, and stubborn preference for boys, Korea has been fairly successful in achieving the demographic objectives by reducing the total fertility rate from 6.0 in 1960 to 2.7 in 1968, and by increasing the rate of family planning practice from 9% in 1964 to 49% in 1978.
Contraception/methods ; Family Planning/trends* ; Human ; Korea ; Population Control ; Population Density ; Voluntary Health Agencies

It has become more and more urgent to develop a safe, effective, recoverable and acceptable contraceptive for males. Decades of studies have made much progress on male hormonal contraception, one of the promising contraceptive methods. The principle is based on the suppression of pituitary gonadotropin and intratesticular testosterone, then the suppression of spermatogenesis, and the supplement of androgen to maintain the male characteristics and sexual function. There are many male hormonal contraceptive methods being studied include androgen, androgen combined with progesterone, GnRH antagonists combined with androgen, as well as immunological methods. To develop a safe and convenient androgen preparation with longer action and fewer side effects is also one of the key items of present research in this field.
Androgens ; Animals ; Contraception ; methods ; Contraceptive Agents, Male ; Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Progestins ; Rats ; Sheep

OBJECTIVETo assess the long-term effect and safety of non-occlusive intra-vas device (IVD) for male contraception in comparison with no-scalpel vasectomy (NSV).

METHODSWe conducted a follow-up investigation on 100 males who had received IVD and another 50 who had undergone NSV 6 years before. We compared the rates of sperm absence and complications between the two groups.

RESULTSFollow-up visits were successfully performed on 95 males (95%) of the IVD group and 44 (88%) of the NSV group. Pregnancy was not found in any of the cases. Spermatozoa (> or = 5 x 10(6)/ml) were not detected in 87 cases (91.58%) in the IVD group and in 44 cases (95.45%) in the NSV group, with no significant differences between the two groups (P > 0.05). The rate of postoperative complications in the IVD group (11.58%) showed no significant difference from that of the NSV group (4.55%) (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONIVD is as effective and safe as NSV for male contraception.

The ideal goal of male immunocontraception is to develop a safe, effective, convenient, acceptable and reversible contraceptive vaccine. Current studies mainly focus on screening the most suitable target antigens from reproductive hormones and sperm functional proteins for the development of immuno contraceptive vaccines. The vaccine targeting reproductive hormones has not been widely used due to its different degrees of side effects and complicated operation. Recent studies show the practicability and applicability of the immuno contraceptive vaccine targeting sperm specific antigens, but its development is confronted with many challenges, such as how to select appropriate target antigens, how to enhance the immunogenicity of the vaccine, how to choose appropriate drug-delivery ways, how to reduce its side effects, and how to decrease its cost.
Antigens ; immunology ; Contraception, Immunologic ; methods ; Contraceptive Agents, Male ; immunology ; Humans ; Male ; Vaccines ; immunology

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore essences and meanings of using oral contraceptives among adult women. METHODS: The interview was conducted with 20 adult women who lived in Seoul, Gyeongi Province, Jeolla Province, Chungcheong Province, and Gangwon Province. Participants with the experience of using oral contraceptives for contraception were selected by convenience sampling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted for data collection. The data were analyzed using Colaizzi's method. RESULTS: Five themes revealed: ‘Lack of information and knowledge regarding oral contraceptives’, ‘Inconvenient and difficult purchase process of oral contraceptives’, ‘Pressure and fear regarding other people's reaction’, ‘Self-centered thinking toward the use of oral contraceptives’, ‘A need for a change in public awareness and policy’. CONCLUSION: A change in society's perception about oral contraceptives is required for safe contraceptives use. Therefore, it is necessary to educate the correct usage of oral contraceptives, and to develop a program for changing the paradigm of sex education.
Adult* ; Contraception ; Contraceptive Agents ; Contraceptives, Oral* ; Data Collection ; Female ; Gangwon-do ; Humans ; Methods ; Qualitative Research ; Seoul ; Sex Education ; Thinking

PURPOSE: Aims of the researchers were to develop an birth control empowerment program (BCEP) designed to help married immigrant women in Korea to plan their pregnancies. METHODS: This study was as a randomized controlled trial to verify the effects of the BCEP. The BCEP was developed based on Falk-Rafael (2001)'s Empowerment caring model. The program was offered once a week, for 90 minutes per session, for a total of 10 weeks. The BCEP incorporated group instruction, group discussion, and counseling. The eligible participants were randomly assigned to either experimental group (n=23) or control group (n=23). RESULTS: Participants in the intervention group had significantly better outcomes in contraceptive knowledge (p<.001), contraceptive self-efficacy (p=.014), perceived contraceptive control (p<.001), sex-related spousal communication (p<.001), and sexual autonomy (p=.009). CONCLUSION: The BCEP was effective intervention method, which can promote family planning practices among married immigrant women.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group* ; Contraception* ; Counseling ; Emigrants and Immigrants* ; Family Planning Services ; Female ; Humans ; Korea* ; Methods ; Parturition* ; Power (Psychology)* ; Pregnancy

OBJECTIVE: This study attempts to gauge the necessity of contraceptive education for women defecting from North Korea (NKDWs). METHODS: We conducted in-depth interviews with six NKDWs who had lived in the Republic of Korea (ROK) for more than three years, to understand the subjects' perceptions, experiences, and opinions regarding contraception. Thematic analyses were performed using qualitative data provided in the survey results. RESULTS: Before their defections from North Korea, none of the NKDWs had received any sex education. Loop is the only contraceptive method available to married women in ROK. After defection, NKDWs were provided information about contraceptive options available in China, but they could not fully understand this information. Furthermore, the information they received was not accurate. Thus, NKDWs had a high need for contraceptive sex education. As per our survey, their preferred education method was at least 3 lessons plus 1 : 1 counseling, as necessary. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that a necessity exists for development of a sex education program for NKDWs to enhance their contraceptive knowledge. Thus, government and health managers have a role to play in developing such a program.
China ; Contraception ; Contraceptives, Oral ; Counseling ; Democratic People's Republic of Korea ; Education ; Female ; Humans ; Methods ; Republic of Korea ; Sex Education ; Women's Health

Postcoital contraception or emergency contraception(EC), commonly known as the "morning after pills", prevents pregnancy after unprotected intercourse. A comprehensive definition of EC is as follows : "specific contraceptive methods that can be used as emergency measures to prevent pregnancy after unproteted intercourse". Both drugs and certain devices can be used for emergency contraception. The best-studied regimen(Yuzpe) consists of an ordinary combination of oral contraceptives containing ethinyl estradiol and norgestrel. Conventional clinical guidelines recommend a first dose within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse and a second dose 12 hours thereafter. These drugs are most effective when taken as soon as possible after the intercourse. The Yuzpe regimen reduced the risk of unintended pregnancy by at least 75% in clinical trials. The most common side effects of the Yuzpe method are nausea and vomiting. Levonorgestrel is the synthetic progesterone. The major benefits of levonorgestrel are the decreased side effects and greater contraceptive efficacy than Yuzpe regimen. Mifepristone (RU486) is a synthetic steroid that prevents progesterone from binding to the progesterone receptors and glucocorticoid receptors. It has been used extensively in Europe as an abortifacient and also has been used as an effective EC. Its common side effect is a delay in the onset of menses, leading to anxiety for the user. The intrauterine contraceptive device(IUCD) is the only method of emergency contraception available to women presenting beyond 72 h and within 5 days from unprotected intercourse. EC is not protective against infections such as STD(sexually transmitted diseases). There are many situations where EC is indicated, including condom rupture or slip, unplanned unprotected intercourse, incidental misuse of regular contraceptive methods, and sexual assault. Emergency contraceptive pills can prevent ovulation, but an alternative major mechanism of action is to prevent uterine implantation of the embryo at the endometrial level. A 3-week follow-up visit should be scheduled to assess the result and to counsel for regular contraception. EC provides a second chance at preventing undesired pregnancies. but it should not be used as a routine birth control method, because it is actually less effective and needs a higher dose at preventing pregnancies than most types of oral contraceptives. Widespread and appropriate use of EC will provide a promising means to reduce the incidence of unplanned pregnancy and to contribute to the women's health.
Anxiety ; Condoms ; Contraception ; Contraception, Postcoital ; Contraceptives, Oral ; Embryonic Structures ; Emergencies ; Ethinyl Estradiol ; Europe ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Levonorgestrel ; Methods ; Mifepristone ; Nausea ; Norgestrel ; Ovulation ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Unplanned ; Progesterone ; Receptors, Glucocorticoid ; Receptors, Progesterone ; Rupture ; Vomiting ; Women's Health

OBJECTIVE: We researched contraceptive practice and attitudes in Chungju, Korea by questionnaires. METHODS: We gave questionnaires to 316 reproductive women who visited Local Corporation Chungju Medical Center and public health center in Chungju city from August 2002 to December 2002. Items of the survey contained general characteristics, methods, level of satisfaction and side effects of contraception, contraceptive failure methods when failed. RESULTS: We studied questionnaires of 305 cases excluding questionnaires of 11 cases which were either incomplete or uncertain. Of the 298 cases who were not trying to get pregnant, 268 (89.9%) used contraceptive methods. The most common method was tubal ligation (23.2%), followed by condoms (21.8%), Intrauterine devices (17.1%), vasectomy (15.4%), periodic abstinence (8.1%), coitus interruptus (2.3%) and oral contraceptives (1.7%). In the 30-34 age group, the practice rate of contraceptive methods was the highest. Satisfactory rate of contraceptive methods was 76.9%. Intrauterine devices had the most frequent side effects. Of 305 cases, who practiced contraception, 70 (22.9%) cases failed and got pregnant and they commonly used periodic abstinence. CONCLUSION: In comparison with the past, practice rate of contraceptive methods increased. Because of the low efficiency of contraception, despite of high practice rate of them, women who had failed the contraception were considerable and the rate of artificial abortion was high. In order to overcome this phenomenon, it is necessary to induce efficient and correct practice of contraceptive methods through further definite and continuous education including oral contraceptives.
Chungcheongbuk-do* ; Coitus Interruptus ; Condoms ; Contraception ; Contraceptives, Oral ; Education ; Female ; Humans ; Intrauterine Devices ; Korea* ; Natural Family Planning Methods ; Public Health ; Surveys and Questionnaire ; Sterilization, Tubal ; Vasectomy

OBJECTIVE: We researched contraceptive practice and attitudes in Chungju, Korea by questionnaires. METHODS: We gave questionnaires to 316 reproductive women who visited Local Corporation Chungju Medical Center and public health center in Chungju city from August 2002 to December 2002. Items of the survey contained general characteristics, methods, level of satisfaction and side effects of contraception, contraceptive failure methods when failed. RESULTS: We studied questionnaires of 305 cases excluding questionnaires of 11 cases which were either incomplete or uncertain. Of the 298 cases who were not trying to get pregnant, 268 (89.9%) used contraceptive methods. The most common method was tubal ligation (23.2%), followed by condoms (21.8%), Intrauterine devices (17.1%), vasectomy (15.4%), periodic abstinence (8.1%), coitus interruptus (2.3%) and oral contraceptives (1.7%). In the 30-34 age group, the practice rate of contraceptive methods was the highest. Satisfactory rate of contraceptive methods was 76.9%. Intrauterine devices had the most frequent side effects. Of 305 cases, who practiced contraception, 70 (22.9%) cases failed and got pregnant and they commonly used periodic abstinence. CONCLUSION: In comparison with the past, practice rate of contraceptive methods increased. Because of the low efficiency of contraception, despite of high practice rate of them, women who had failed the contraception were considerable and the rate of artificial abortion was high. In order to overcome this phenomenon, it is necessary to induce efficient and correct practice of contraceptive methods through further definite and continuous education including oral contraceptives.
Chungcheongbuk-do* ; Coitus Interruptus ; Condoms ; Contraception ; Contraceptives, Oral ; Education ; Female ; Humans ; Intrauterine Devices ; Korea* ; Natural Family Planning Methods ; Public Health ; Surveys and Questionnaire ; Sterilization, Tubal ; Vasectomy