Profile of Users of Short- and Long-acting Contraceptive Methods: A Cross-sectional National Study of 12,973 Women

Aim: To compare the profile of users of short-and long-acting contraceptive methods (CM). Materials and methods: Cross-sectional study that analyzed population-based databases in Peru. A total of 12,973 users of short-and long-acting CM were included. Social, demographic, and reproductive characteristics were studied, as well as the type of contraceptive method. Descriptive statistics were calculated; and the Chi-square test was applied with 95% confidence. Results: Short-acting contraceptives (87.7%) are more used than long-acting contraceptives (LARCs) (12.3%). Among users of LARCs, the proportion of women with higher education (47.7%) was significantly higher. Women from the highlands (21.9%) used mostly short-acting methods; and those residing in urban areas (85.5%) and with a high wealth index (23.7%) used long-acting methods. Childlessness (18.8%) and non-desire for parity (62.5%) were higher in users of short-and LARCs, respectively. The initiation of sexual intercourse was not different in both groups of users. Conclusion: Social, demographic, and reproductive characteristics are different in women users of short-and long-acting methods, except for age at sexual debut. Clinical significance: The wide range of CM currently available allows women and their partners to satisfy their reproductive demands, although their choice depends on various conditions internal or external to the woman.