Singapore: a study of clinic continuation rates.

The continuation rates of oral contraception in the Singapore National Program based on clinic record cards of women who were first seen between July 1 1967 and December 31 1968 are reported. 2969 cases were studied. 39% of the pill users were still continuing with the method on December 31 1969 17-30 months after original acceptance. The women 30 years old and over were more persistent pill users. It was also determined that Malay women were more likely to return to the clinic than Chinese or Indians and Pakistanis. The Indians and Pakistanis showed the smallest proportion of women continuing pills. The mean number of living children was 4.1 for continuing program users and 3.2 for dropouts. Of the women who terminated the use of pills due to pregnancy planned or unplanned 72% had 0-1 children. Medical reasons 25% were the main type given for termination. Nausea vomiting and giddiness were the most common medical reasons. Planned and unplanned pregnancy accounted for 9%. Of pregnancies occurring 83% were planned. As to breaks in use 59% had no breaks and 29% had 1 break. 28% of discontinuers returned to the clinic for pills. Of the discontinuers 44% were known to have abandoned contraception after having discontinued the pill. The condom was the most popular method of alternative protection. 31% of the women who dropped out did so after 1 cycle. The cumulative discontinuation rates after cycles 24 and 30 were 628 and 668 respectively.