Women and postfertilization effects of birth control: consistency of beliefs, intentions and reported use

BACKGROUND: This study assesses the consistency of responses among women regarding their beliefs about the mechanisms of actions of birth control methods, beliefs about when human life begins, the intention to use or not use birth control methods that they believe may act after fertilization or implantation, and their reported use of specific methods. METHODS: A questionnaire was administered in family practice and obstetrics and gynecology clinics in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Tulsa, Oklahoma. Participants included women ages 18–50 presenting for any reason and women under age 18 presenting for family planning or pregnancy care. Analyses were based on key questions addressing beliefs about whether specific birth control methods may act after fertilization, beliefs about when human life begins, intention to use a method that may act after fertilization, and reported use of specific methods. The questionnaire contained no information about the mechanism of action of any method of birth control. Responses were considered inconsistent if actual use contradicted intentions, if one intention contradicted another, or if intentions contradicted beliefs. RESULTS: Of all respondents, 38% gave consistent responses about intention to not use or to stop use of any birth control method that acted after fertilization, while 4% gave inconsistent responses. The corresponding percentages for birth control methods that work after implantation were 64% consistent and 2% inconsistent. Of all respondents, 34% reported they believed that life begins at fertilization and would not use any birth control method that acts after fertilization (a consistent response), while 3% reported they believed that life begins at fertilization but would use a birth control method that acts after fertilization (inconsistent). For specific methods of birth control, less than 1% of women gave inconsistent responses. A majority of women (68% or greater) responded accurately about the mechanism of action of condoms, abstinence, sterilization, and abortion, but a substantial percentage of women (between 19% and 57%) were uncertain about the mechanisms of action of oral contraceptives, intrauterine devices (IUDs), Depo-Provera, or natural family planning. CONCLUSION: Women who believe that life begins at fertilization may not intend to use a birth control method that could have postfertilization effects. More research is needed to understand the relative importance of postfertilization effects for women in other populations, and in relation to other properties of and priorities for birth control methods. However, many women were uncertain about the mechanisms of action of specific methods. To respect the principles of informed consent, some women may need more education about what is known and not known about the mechanisms of action of birth control methods

Water Desalination: Designing a Seawater Purification System

The goal of our project was to design, prototype, and test a portable water desalination unit capable of producing drinkable water in emergency situations. The team elected to use a boiler-condenser system with a thermoelectric dehumidifying unit. This system is unlike others on the market because it is able to produce a higher volume of water using any source, and is personal sized and portable. Testing of the system resulted in the conversion of 1,000 mL at 35 ppm salt water to an average of 820 mL of drinkable water in 40 minutes. The team envisions the system to be powered by a portable source such as solar or battery

People, Parks, and Perceptions: Parks in the lives of residents of Thessaloniki

This study explored the attitudes and preferences of citizens toward public parks in Thessaloniki in order to promote discussion about public green spaces. The team gathered residents’ opinions of parks using interviews and an online survey with over 90 participants. A majority of individuals used the park as a means to relax and socialize. Additionally, many respondents were displeased with the state of their parks, and believed litter, broken facilities, and illicit activities degraded their park experience. It is recommended that future studies focus on how the municipality currently manages parks, which parks require the most attention from the municipality, and how to connect citizens with park management

The Dangers of Generational Myth-Making

We respond here to Twenge\u27s article The Evidence for Generation Me and Against Generation We. With regard to the question of whether narcissism is increasing among emerging adults, flaws are identified in the studies she used to make her case, and counterevidence is presented. We show that for the most part emerging adults\u27 values have not changed in recent decades, but to the extent that change has occurred, it has been in the direction of less selfishness and more engagement in global issues as well as greater desire to ameliorate problems in the community and the world. Finally, we emphasize the duty for scholars to avoid contributing to unjustified negative stereotypes about young people that lead others to have contempt for them and refuse to support their efforts to make their way into adulthood. © 2013 Society for the Study of Emerging Adulthood and SAGE Publications