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Medical and counseling staff at 13 family planning clinics in Texas, U.S.A., were surveyed regarding their opinions and level of information about the contraceptive Norplant[R]. These responses were used to assess the relationships between clinicians' information and attitudes about the contraceptive and the use of that method by their patients. No differences were associated with respondents' clinical responsibilities or with their type of professional training. However, significant variations in the numbers of patients receiving Norplant from individual providers, and in the proportion receiving the method from certain clinics, were associated with responses to some attitudinal questions. These findings suggest that the opinions about Norplant held by personnel staffing family planning clinics influence the method selection of their patients.

The present study examined the perceptions, attitudes, and experiences of long-term contraceptive implant users. Group interviews were conducted to obtain qualitative in-depth attitude and opinion data from 31 women who had used the implant for a minimum of four years. Results indicated that many women had experienced side effects with implant use, in particular during the first year. The primary motivations for continuing the use of implant were: women's strong desire for a long-term, reversible, and convenient method that offered effective protection from pregnancy, a strong need for control over one's life, and general dissatisfaction with alternative methods. Exposure to negative media reports, and peer commentaries did not influence implant's continued use. However, intensive educational counseling prior to insertion played a significant role in the long-term use of implant. Findings from this study indicate that women are willing to accept side effects as the price to be paid for an effective and convenient contraceptive method, and for gaining control over their lives. Furthermore, women appear to be less influenced by opposing social climate, in the absence of negative personal experiences. Our findings underscore the importance of educational counseling prior to implant insertion. [Article copies available for a fee firm The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-342-9678. E-mail address: Website: ] KEYWORDS. Levonorgestrel implant, long-term use, attitudes, satisfaction

Examines past use of and future plans for use of condoms by partners during sexual intercourse for disease prevention in conjunction with other contraceptive methods. Factors influencing condom use; Condom and contraceptive use among those with known risk factors for HIV.