1. Status of NFP in the U.S. and the World:
A review of data from the National Survey of Family
Growth and the Demographic and Health Surveys
Irit Sinai
Human Fertility: Where Faith & Science Meet
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, July 15, 2010

3. Natural Family Planning methods
Symptothermal
Method
Billings
Ovulation
Method Creighton
Model Calendar The Standard
Rhythm Days Method
Marquette
Model The TwoDay
Method

5. DHS fertility awareness questions
From one menstrual period to the Yes
next, are there certain days when a
woman is more likely to become No
pregnant? I don’t know
Is this time just before her period Just before her period begins
begins, during her period, right
after her period has ended, or During her period
halfway between two periods? Right after her period ended
Halfway between two periods
Other
Don’t know

6. Of women who ever-used Rhythm, % who knew that
a woman is more likely to get pregnant if she has
sex half way between two periods

7. When during her cycle a woman can become pregnant
Kenya, 2008
n = 756 (13.5% of all respondents – those who ever used Rhythm)

8. Ever use of rhythm in developing countries
Mean rhythm ever use by continent
Africa (38 countries) 15.3%
Asia (14 countries) 14.5%
Europe (5 countries) 19.7%
America (14 countries) 19.6^

9. Current use of rhythm in developing countries
Mean current rhythm use by continent
Africa (38 countries) 4.1%
Asia (14 countries) 4.0%
Europe (5 countries) 3.8%
America (14 countries) 5.5%

10. Standard Days Method use
Country Ever use Currently using
Benin (2006) 0.3% 0.1%
Bolivia (2008) 1.4% 0.2%
Madagascar (2008) 0.2% <0.1%
Peru (2004-08) 0.2% <0.1%
Philippines (2008) 0.4% 0.1%
Rwanda (2007-08) 1.9% 0.5%

11. MUCUS, BILLINGS, OVULATION. Women can monitor the
cervical mucus to determine the days of the month they are
The Philippines most likely to get pregnant.
BASAL BODY TEMPERATURE. Women can monitor the
body temperature to determine the days of the month they
are most likely to get pregnant.
SYMPTOTHERMAL. It is a combination of Basal Body
Temperature and Mucus, Billings, Ovulation Method.
STANDARD DAYS METHOD. This method uses a beaded
necklace on which each bead represents the days of a
woman's cycle. The necklace would help determine the days
when the woman is likely to get pregnant.
CALENDAR OR RHYTHM OR PERIODIC ABSTINENCE.
Every month that a woman is sexually active she can
avoid pregnancy by not having sexual intercourse on the
days of the month she is most likely to get pregnant.

12. NFP use, The Philippines, 2008
Method Ever use Currently using
Mucus 1.1% 0.1%
BBT 0.6% <0.1%
Symptothermal 0.2% <0.1%
Standard Days Method 0.4% 0.1%
Rhythm 19.5% 6.2%

13. Related questions in the NSFG
Have you ever used rhythm or safe period by
calendar to prevent pregnancy?
Have you ever used Natural Family
Planning or safe period by temperature
or cervical mucus test to prevent
pregnancy?

14. NFP use, U.S. (2006-08)
Method Ever use Currently using
Periodic abstinence – calendar rhythm 19.4% 0.5%
Periodic abstinence – natural family planning 4.6% 0.1%

15. whatc
an
So
we
Do
?

16. Design better surveys
Include NFP methods
Correct definition
Correct marking of
dual method use

17. ist ics
st at
vi ce
s er
al ity
qu
od
t go
oll ec
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Guatemala service statistics: 5,400 new users September 2007 – June 2009
Guatemela: 10,115 CycleBeads sold 2009