Changes in contraceptive use and sterilization acceptability

This longitudinal analysis of contraceptive prevalence over the years was designed to forecast future contraceptive acceptability. It investigated the following factors: 1) analysis of the changes in the contraceptive practice rate and 2) the readjustment of the target population on the basis of changes observed in the contraceptive practice rate and in the total fertility rate since 1960. The data for the study were derived from the various fertility and family planning surveys conducted since 1964 every 2-3 years and from the coupon collected by the Korea Institute for Population and Health. During the period 1962-76 emphasis was given to government-supported programs involving the IUD but in 1977 the sterilization program became the focus. Over the last 25 years about 3.2 million people benefitted from the government-supported sterilization program of which 54% accounted for those who received sterilization services in the last 5 years. The high sterilization rate is due in part to the various incentive systems introduced by the government in 1982 for those who opted for sterilization as a population control measure. According to the 1985 survey the contraceptive practice rate stands at 70.4% and the sterilization rate at 40.5%. Among those women age 30 or older with at least 2 children the contraceptive practice rate is as high as 85% and the sterilization practice is over 50%. The total fertility rate in 1984 climbed to the 2.1 level and the average number of liveborn children born to those using the IUD or sterilization declined to 1.9 in 1986. It is time that the government readjusts its sterilization target from the current 320000 as the age structure of women who opt for sterilization has changed over the years; it is probable that sterilization will reach its threshold when the sterilization rate approaches the 46% level. The 6th 5-Year Socioeconomic Development Plan (1987-91) envisages the total fertility rate dropping from 2.05 in 1985 to 1.86 in 1991 and in order to achieve this goal the contraceptive practice rate must increase from 70.4% to 77.2% for the corresponding period. This increase in contraceptive practice should come from those in their 20s and whose birth rate accounts for over 80% of the annual number of births. They must be the prime target population for the 6th 5-Year Socioeconomic Development Plan period. (authors modified) (summary in ENG)