ABSTRACT
All currently available methods of modern contraceptives
are safe, effective, and reliable. As such, they are suitable
for most individuals. However, contraceptive needs differ for
different groups of individuals, and also within groups. For
example, the contraceptive needs of the young unmarried
girl will be different to those of a young married couple in a
stable union. Again, the needs of the couple will vary,
depending on whether they are delaying the first pregnancy
or whether they need a method to space between pregnan-
cies. The same couple’s needs will change once their family
is complete, when they would do better with a more
permanent method. Just as contraceptive needs differ at
different stages of one’s reproductive life, similarly, specific
groups of individuals can be identified who may have
specific contraceptive needs. Although there are many such
groups, a few important groups will be highlighted.
