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UK women using bread, cola, cling film to prevent pregnancy
Reported September 06, 2009
Think bread can be a barrier against pregnancy? Some women in United Kingdom
do. Some others think chicken skin and cling film prevent sperms from
entering their womb.
These are the shocking findings of a survey in UK that explains the high
rate of unintended pregnancies in the country.
The survey, commissioned by drugmaker Bayer Schering Pharma and conducted by
research firm Opinion Health, involved 1,000 women between the ages of 18
and 50 years. As many as 53 per cent of those surveyed believed taking
contraceptive pills over the long term impaired their chances of having a
baby later. Ten per cent held the misconception getting pregnant after
stopping the pill would take years.
Dr Anne Szarewski, associate specialist at Margaret Pyke Centre, said,
“Combined oral contraceptive pills are the most widely prescribed
contraceptive option, but they are particularly plagued by myths. It is
vital that women of all ages are aware of the facts, to have a full
understanding of their contraception and so avoid the distress of an
unintended pregnancy.”
About 18 of the women felt they were protected against human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV) if they were on the pill when fact is that only
a condom can protect against the virus.
Some women wrongly believed sex during menstruation was safe.
Food-related myths also abound. Fifteen women said colas can prevent
pregnancy. Others named kebabs, chocolate wrappers, packets of chips, and
other items.
Dr Annie Evans, health specialist at Bristol Sexual Health Centre, said she
wasn’t surprised at the findings. “This survey has uncovered how widespread
contraceptive myths still are in this country, given that Britain continues
to have the highest unintended pregnancy rate in Europe with as many as 50
per cent of births being unintended,” she said. Dr Evans said awareness
campaigns are required to debunk such myths in the minds of women.
Source : www.littleabout.com |
