Contraceptive practices in São Paulo City: prevalence, unmet needs and public health system performance

Abstract

Contraceptive counselling and method provision are fundamental aspects of the reproductive health care the public health system (SUS) is expected to deliver. In Brazil, this kind of Service provision adequacy to women needs relies basically on information obtained in population surveys. The only survey on the subject ever conducted in São Paulo City was undertaken almost fifty years ago. The present proposal consists on a population survey in this city. It aims to identify contraceptive use prevalence, the mix of contraceptives being used, their sources and hurdles faced by women to obtain them, as well as SUS populational coverage regarding contraceptive care. The sample will be representative for de whole city and. for each of its five health regions. Study population will be represted by 4,000 women aged 15 to 49 years. (AU)